Seeing Cancer as a Chronic Illness

EP: 1.Holistically Defining Cancer Survivorship

Now Viewing

EP: 2.Seeing Cancer as a Chronic Illness

EP: 3.Challenges Facing Cancer Survivors

EP: 4.The Role of Support in Cancer Survivorship

EP: 5.Working With Underserved Populations of Cancer Survivors

EP: 6.Supporting Cancer Survivors: The Clinician's Role

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition that cancer is increasingly becoming a chronic illness for many patients. This shift in perspective is driven by several factors. Advances in cancer research and treatment have led to higher survival rates and longer life expectancies for many types of cancer. This means that more patients are living with cancer for extended periods. As survival rates improve, there is a greater emphasis on ensuring that patients maintain a good quality of life during and after treatment. This includes addressing physical, emotional, and social challenges. Some cancers, such as prostate, breast, and thyroid cancer, are often diagnosed at early stages and can be managed as chronic conditions, requiring ongoing monitoring and treatment.

Overall, the shift towards viewing cancer as a chronic illness reflects a more nuanced understanding of the disease and a greater focus on improving the quality of life for patients.

Here, Amy Selly, CNP, AOCNP, Allina Health medical oncology advanced practice provider lead, discusses how cancer as a chronic illness impacts definitions of survivorship.

Transcription:

0:05 | I think that just encompasses survivors as as truly, yes, not only including curative intent. And so really trying to broaden that definition, which has been broad, but I think it's more getting people to to accept it, right, to use that as a more accepted terminology. And survivorship too, is it is a term that, you know, patients in particular sometimes struggle with. There's some language that is hard for patients, and sometimes that survivor language is hard.

0:42 | We often talk about patients living with cancer now as a chronic illness, because we are seeing patients who have what, you know, is a stage IV diagnosis that are living years and decades beyond and with some medication management, and even sometimes with just observation. We really are seeing those longer-term cancer survivors and and the unique needs that are coming with the treatments that are helping patients live longer.