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Cancer Survivorship: Does One Size Fit All?

Tamara J Cadet*, Jacinta Elks, Matthew Moore and Cindy Davis

Due to successes in early detection and disease management of cancer, there are increasing numbers of cancer survivors in the US and Australia. Cancer survivors are a vulnerable population who face numerous physical, psychological, social, spiritual and financial issues. Empirical evidence suggests that survivors and their providers are not adequately prepared for the experiences after initial treatment highlighting the need to create or improve existing strategies for survivors. Guided by the Australian National Service Improvement Framework for Cancer and the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Psychosocial Care of Adults with Cancer, this paper presents the findings of an evaluation of “Moving on…Living Well” (MO…LW), a multidisciplinary patient education program, based in Australia, designed to provide transitional support in the immediate timeframe following completion of active cancer treatment. An observational, non-equivalent group comparison design, utilizing post-program evaluations of participants (n=105) and a retrospective survey of all eligible participants (n=196) provided data for this study over a three-year time period. Findings suggest that the majority of patients transitioning to survivorship had either felt supported by their health care team or indicated they were self-sufficient in their need for support. Participants in MO…LW were highly satisfied although there were not differences between them and non-attendees. One reason for the lack of statistical difference could be that cancer survivors have differing preferences and levels of needs. This indicates that one size does not fit all when implementing survivorship care in a post-treatment setting. Suggested recommendations for providers are discussed.