As some types of cancer are no longer a death sentence, greater attention has been directed towards helping patients control a chronic illness. Sheppard recently reviewed the evidence for long-term breast cancer follow-up to see if routine post-treatment for breast cancer has benefits for patients. There is little evidence with regards to long-term survival rates. There is also a lack of information relating as to the value of long-term follow-up in terms of psychological outcomes, quality of life, patient satisfaction, access to specialist advice, and reassurance from others. Nevertheless, most breast units in England continue to undertake routine six-month clinical reviews of patients up to a minimum of five years. A thorough literature search was undertaken and, as expected, there was a lack of evidence in relation to the long-term needs of breast cancer survivors. Alternatives to hospital-based follow-up were reported such as general practitioner or nurse-led follow-up, but the question of the importance of follow-up in relation to psychological morbidity and quality of life remained unanswered. Further research is needed to investigate the importance of follow-up to patient survivorship.

VALUE OF STUDY TO READER: Sheppard stressed the need for research to explore the concept of point of need access, as well as the qualitative experiences of patients post-discharge, informational needs at discharge, and ongoing psychosocial support. Greater choice and involvement of patients in determining their future follow-up needs is required. The author said this would include providing the patient with a personalized package of care based on risk assessment and subsequent education programs to teach patients self-management skills following discharge. This suggestion must be acted on quickly as survival rates from breast cancer continue to increase throughout the world.

C. Sheppard. Breast cancer follow-up: Literature review and discussion. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 2007.