Cancer Survivorship Transition to Primary Care (2016)

Abstract
Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women, and a growing majority of these patients are becoming long-term survivors who require surveillance in the years following the end of treatment. There is mounting evidence that transitioning from specialist care at the cancer centre to primary care is safe and desirable. This report presents preliminary results of a population-based study of transition practices for 3,623 early-stage breast cancer patients in Alberta, before and after the implementation of a provincial clinical practice guideline on followup care and updated transition letters intended for the family physician and patient. It demonstrates that the majority of patients with early-stage breast cancer in Alberta are dis- charged back to primary care for followup within 2 years after posttreatment consultation and completion of adjuvant radiation and/or chemotherapy where appropriate. Forthcoming analyses and studies will help to elucidate reasons for continued specialist followup with some patients.

Lupichuk, S., Nixon, N. A., Looyis, J., Currie, S., Kostaras, X., Lang, M. J., Jacques, A., Watson, L. (2016). Transition of breast cancer survivors to primary care: A population-based evaluation of practice in Alberta. Oncology Exchange, 15(4), 12-16.