Current Topic:
Survivorship in cancer care
Download Continuing Professional Development module
Abstract
There are approximately two million people in the UK currently living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis; some recently diagnosed, some living with the consequences of the disease and its treatments (Devane 2009). The experience of surviving cancer is complex but can be summarized as ‘a process beginning at diagnosis and involving uncertainty. It is a life-changing experience with a duality of positive and negative aspects, and is unique to the individual but has some universality’ (Doyle 2008, p. 499).
The Cancer Reform Strategy (Department of Health 2007) includes a chapter entitled Living with and beyond Cancer and a series of promises to ensure that the needs of cancer survivors are not only met but given equal priority alongside acute treatment. One of these promises is in the creation of a National Cancer Survivorship Initiative with seven work streams set to address a comprehensive list of pertinent issues. In a survey conducted by the Nursing Times, only 40% of respondents thought they had adequate training to support people with cancer (Torjesen 2009).
Cancer is now classified as a chronic disease by the World Health Organisation and the Department of Health (Darzi 2008) recommends that everyone with a chronic disease should have a personalised care plan by 2010. This module aims to explore the concept of cancer survivorship, enabling the reader to develop a deeper awareness of its complexity and develop skills to enable them, within their own work setting, to understand the principles of:
· Chronic disease management.
· Supported self-management.
· Solution-focused care.
Throughout the module, the reader will be encouraged to develop an understanding of cancer survivorship and critically analyse the available literature. Reflection upon the reader’s individual practice will also be encouraged. While this module uses current UK policy as an example, it is suggested that readers seek to understand the policy and practice of their own country.
References
Darzi A. (2008) High Quality Care for All: NHS Next Stage Review Final Report. Department of Health, London, UK.
Department of Health (2007) Cancer Reform Strategy. Department of Health, London, UK.
Devane C. (2009) The entire journey. Cancer survivorship. Nursing Times. 105: 1–16.
Doyle N. (2008) Cancer survivorship: evolutionary concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing 62: 499–509.
Torjesen I. (2009) Seeing survivors. Cancer survivorship. Nursing Times. 105: 1–16.
