Goals of Survivorship Care

Abstract

Nowadays, evidence suggests that several cancer types are curable diseases and that some common cancers are cured in less than 10 years. This new reality, that is the recognition of cancer patients as “cured,” changes our understanding of cancer survivorship, since it has relevant clinical, economic, and social implications. Cancer survivor is defined as anyone with a diagnosis of cancer and who is still alive. In Europe and in the United States, the number of individuals living after a cancer diagnosis (i.e., cancer prevalence) is growing by approximately 3% annually. Presently in Europe are estimated at least 20 million cancer survivors and five million of cured people. Cancer survivors are a vulnerable population that requires medical and nonmedical interventions. They are particularly at risk not only of having a low quality of life due to the long-term side effects of treatment with consequences for patients’ physical, mental, and social health. Moreover, 15% of them are at risk of developing another primary cancer.