Suicides rise among cancer survivors, adherence to recommended follow-up lags
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There are more than 18 million cancer survivors in the United States, according to American Cancer Society.
As the number continues to grow, so do the challenges this unique population faces, including long-term surveillance for late effects or secondary malignancies, the financial burdens of cancer treatment, fear of recurrence and quality-of-life detriments.
The need for oncology and primary care providers to coordinate cancer survivorship services is greater than ever.
With that context, Healio is pleased to provide this recap of important updates in cancer survivorship from the past year.
1. Suicide rates among cancer survivors increased over the past 2 decades. Deaths by suicide often occurred years after diagnosis, with the highest rates among male adolescents and young adults. Read more.
2. A high percentage of childhood cancer survivors do not undergo guideline-recommended monitoring for late effects, according to results of a population-based study. Read more.
3. Women who breastfeed after undergoing treatment for breast cancer are not at elevated risk for recurrence or new breast cancers. Read more.
4. One-third of childhood cancer survivors reported high levels of fear of cancer recurrence, with some continuing to express those concerns decades after treatment. Read more.
5. An NCI grant will fund research designed to better coordinate care for cancer survivors with cardiovascular risks. The 5-year, $4.83 million grant will support a shared care model that aims to improve connections between patients with cancer and primary care physicians to strengthen survivorship care. Read more.
6. A voice-activated, in-home cognitive behavioral therapy program alleviated symptoms of insomnia among breast cancer survivors. Read more.
7. A cross-sectional study investigating the impact of financial hardship on cancer survivors showed a disproportionate burden among younger survivors. Read more.
8. Women with breast cancer who began an aerobic exercise program at the start of chemotherapy self-reported improved cognitive function and quality of life. Read more.
9. Cognitive behavioral therapy improved mental health and quality of life for cancer survivors. Younger cancer survivors derived more benefit than older individuals. Read more.
10. Higher cisplatin doses led to more severe and progressing hearing loss, according to data from a longitudinal cohort study. Factors such as high blood pressure or poor cardiovascular health magnified this risk. Read more.
11. Counter to long-held views, women who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation can get pregnant and have healthy children. Read more.
12. Both yoga and cognitive behavioral therapy helped alleviate insomnia among cancer survivors and led to improvement in cancer-related fatigue. The findings offer potential therapeutic options for survivors experiencing these frequent adverse events related to cancer treatment. Read more.
To read about other strategies to improve outcomes and quality of life for cancer survivors, visit Healio’s Navigating Survivorship collection here.
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