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Breast cancer survivor’s perspectives on the role different providers play in follow-up care

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Abstract

Importance

Significant variation in the number and types of oncologists that provide breast cancer follow-up exists. However, there is limited understanding regarding breast cancer survivors’ preferences for who provides their follow-up. Our objective was to explore breast cancer survivors’ perspectives on the goals of breast cancer follow-up, the preferred role for primary care providers, and the perceived roles of different types of oncologists during follow-up.

Methods

A convenience sample of stage 0–III breast cancer survivors was identified and in-depth one-on-one interviews conducted. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis.

Results

Survivors cited a strong preference for oncology-based follow-up within the first 5 years after diagnosis, driven by their need for reassurance that cancer had not recurred. Survivors also thought that their primary care provider needed to be involved. Survivors assumed that oncology follow-up was directed by a standard protocol that included streamlining the follow-up team. Survivors recognized that patients with more complex cancers or challenging treatment courses may require more intensive follow-up and deviate from the standard protocol. Most survivors were comfortable deferring decisions regarding who participated in follow-up to the oncology team.

Conclusions

Most patients think a streamlined approach to oncology-based breast cancer follow-up already occurs, driven by a standard protocol. The use of a standard protocol to provide guidance for which types of oncology providers should participate in breast cancer follow-up will streamline care and represents a significant opportunity to reduce unnecessary variation. This approach is especially critical given patients’ strong preferences for oncology-based follow-up.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wisconsin Surgical Outcomes Research Program, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA

    J. L. Tucholka, J. R. Schumacher, L. G. Wilke, C. C. Greenberg & Heather B. Neuman

  2. School of Nursing, Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA

    N. Jacobson

  3. Denver Public Health, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO, USA

    N. M. Steffens

  4. University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, H4/726 CSC, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI, 53792-7375, USA

    A. J. Tevaarwerk, L. G. Wilke, C. C. Greenberg & Heather B. Neuman

  5. Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA

    A. J. Tevaarwerk

  6. Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA

    B. Anderson

Authors
  1. J. L. Tucholka
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  2. N. Jacobson
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  4. J. R. Schumacher
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  7. L. G. Wilke
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  8. C. C. Greenberg
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  9. Heather B. Neuman
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Correspondence to Heather B. Neuman.

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Tucholka, J.L., Jacobson, N., Steffens, N.M. et al. Breast cancer survivor’s perspectives on the role different providers play in follow-up care. Support Care Cancer 26, 2015–2022 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4042-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4042-3

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