The evolution of breast cancer navigation and survivorship care.

Abstract

Over the last several decades, breast screening, diagnosis, and treatment have evolved. With that evolutionary process, so have the complexities of oncology care, especially from the perspective of more fragmented care occurring. The majority of breast care is outpatient based. The need for patient navigation has heightened as this fragmentation and financial issues set before the oncologist and the patient continue to occur and in many situations increase. Without effective navigation, breast patients can fall through the cracks and not get diagnosed as early as possible, or not receive all appropriate treatment they need. We are also seeing a steady increase in the actual number of breast cancer patients being diagnosed and surviving long term. Unfortunately simultaneous to this happen there is also a growing shortage of oncology specialists in the USA. This results in a need to transition survivors back to their community physicians after the completion of their acute treatment, and to do so in an organized, anticipated manner that prepares the survivor and her PCP and gynecologist, the tools they all need for effective cancer survivorship management.