ICOS GOALS
To establish research and clinical programs focused on outcomes among cancer survivors across the entire trajectory of age.
Cancer survivors are a very critical population from diagnosis of cancer and through their life.
Cancer survivorship represents critical phase, numbers of survivors is growing at a rate of 2% per year.
2022: estimated 18 million cancer survivors
Research- cancer survivors are a vulnerable population: our goal is to follow patient after they complete cancer treatment and are discharged from their oncology care. It is very clear with patients who are followed long term that there is an increased burden of chronic health conditions (morbidity) linked to therapy received for cancer.
Provide comprehensive long term care for cancer survivors, we need care plans- summary of treatment received, morbidities to expect= Road map for life
Research studies found link between late effects of cancer survivors back to treatments received.
Cancer survivors may fall through the cracks of healthcare. Once discharged from oncologist, primary care may not be aware of the effects of cancer treatment or what to anticipate with long term complications, so patients may not receive the most appropriate treatment.
Cancer survivor care is what we focus on.
Survivorship clinics are multidisciplinary clinics consisting of Nurse practitioners, physicians, social workers, psychiatrists, dietitians all providing comprehensive and tailored care to cancer survivors.
Multidisciplinary screening
- Patient education of risks of common disease related to cancer treatment will be included in care plan
- Patient screening
- Tests reviewed, if complications are found, patient will be triaged, seen by appropriate specialists for care needed then will return annually in order to be followed.
Researchers and clinicians follow patients long-term to learn and apply knowledge to future generations.
Survivorship model- adapted for patients living with any chronic diseases.