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Receipt of cancer treatment summaries and follow-up instructions among adult cancer survivors: results from a national survey

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine reporting of treatment summaries and follow-up instructions among cancer survivors.

Methods

Using the 2010 National Health Interview Survey, we created logistic regression models among cancer survivors not in treatment (n = 1,345) to determine characteristics associated with reporting treatment summaries and written follow-up instructions, adjusting for sociodemographic, access, and cancer-related factors. Findings are presented for all survivors and those recently diagnosed (≤4 years). We also examined unadjusted associations between written instructions and subsequent surveillance and screening.

Results

Among those recently diagnosed, 38 % reported receiving treatment summaries and 58 % reported written instructions. Among all survivors, approximately one third reported summaries and 44 % reported written instructions. After adjustment, lower reporting of summaries was associated with cancer site, race, and number of treatment modalities among those recently diagnosed, and white vs. black or Hispanic race/ethnicity, breast vs. colorectal cancer, >10 vs. ≤5 years since diagnosis, no clinical trials participation, and better than fair health among all survivors. For instructions, lower reporting was associated with no trials participation and lower income among those recently diagnosed, and increasing age, white vs. black race, lower income, >10 vs. ≤5 years since diagnosis, 1 vs. ≥2 treatment modalities, no trials participation, and at least good vs. fair/poor health among all survivors. Written instructions were associated with reporting provider recommendations for breast and cervical cancer surveillance, and recent screening mammograms.

Conclusion

Many recently diagnosed cancer survivors did not report receiving treatment summaries and written follow-up instructions. Opportunities exist to examine associations between use of these documents and recommended care and outcomes, and to facilitate their adoption.

Implications for cancer survivors

Cancer survivors who have completed therapy should ask their providers for treatment summaries and written follow-up instructions, and discuss with them how their cancer and therapy impact their future health care.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Lisa Richardson for reviewing cancer treatment and cervical cancer surveillance definitions.

Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Disclaimers

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Cancer Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS-K55, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA

    Susan A. Sabatino, Trevor D. Thompson, Judith Lee Smith & Nikki A. Hawkins

  2. Office of Cancer Survivorship, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Julia H. Rowland & Laura P. Forsythe

  3. Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, Center for Cancer Training, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Laura P. Forsythe

  4. Division of Applied Science, Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Loria Pollack

Authors
  1. Susan A. Sabatino
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  2. Trevor D. Thompson
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  3. Judith Lee Smith
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  4. Julia H. Rowland
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  5. Laura P. Forsythe
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  6. Loria Pollack
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  7. Nikki A. Hawkins
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Correspondence to Susan A. Sabatino.

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Sabatino, S.A., Thompson, T.D., Smith, J.L. et al. Receipt of cancer treatment summaries and follow-up instructions among adult cancer survivors: results from a national survey. J Cancer Surviv 7, 32–43 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-012-0242-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-012-0242-x

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