OBJECTIVES

: Improvements in cancer outcomes, attributable to advances in detection and therapy, have led to increased cancer survivorship in the United States (US). The number of cancer survivors is expected to continue to grow, from 16.9 million in 2019 to 22.1 million by 2030. In addition to risk of cancer recurrence and second malignancies, survivors can face long-term physical, emotional and psychological sequelae leading to financial burden on patients and increased overall healthcare expenditure. We sought to gain insight into oncologists’ experiences and perceptions of survivorship care, now considered an essential component of quality care in oncology.

METHODS

: Between February and April 2020, a representative sample of 165 community hematologists/oncologists from across the US were surveyed via web-based survey and live interaction, regarding various clinical and practice issues in oncology including survivorship care.

RESULTS

: The vast majority of oncologists surveyed (87%) indicated that the number of survivors in their practice is greater today than 5 years ago. The most common concerns raised by cancer survivors were cancer recurrence (95%), side effects (49%), and ability to return to work/normal activity (46%). Over half of the oncologists (56%) felt well-prepared to manage the needs of cancer survivors, but 73% indicated need for additional training, especially with management of side effects (56%). While 78% provided their patients with a formal survivorship plan upon completion of treatment, only 50% utilized a formalized survivorship program or provider to deliver survivorship care. More than half expected to hire additional staff for survivorship care. Most (76%) viewed the ongoing management of cancer survivors’ chronic needs as the responsibility of both oncology and primary care practices.

CONCLUSIONS

: Most oncologists observed an increasing number of cancer survivors in their practices, and identified a need for addition training, staff and collaboration with primary care to deliver effective survivorship care.