Survivorship care is holistic care of the breast cancer survivor in order to help a patient find her “new normal” after active treatment of the cancer has been completed. It encompasses monitoring for late and long-term effects of cancer and cancer treatments, screening for recurrence of the initial cancer and development of any new cancers, managing the physical/emotional/social and financial effects of cancer, promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviours, and coordination of care with other cancer specialists. Oncology care physicians help to improve the quality of life of breast cancer survivors through a multidisciplinary approach.
Dr Inge Kriel is an oncology care physician practising at Netcare Breast Care Centre in Johannesburg .
