Care of the breast cancer survivor: increased survival rates present a new set of challenges.

Earlier detection of invasive and noninvasive breast cancer and more effective treatments have led to both an improved prognosis for women with breast cancer and an increasing number of long-term survivors. However, such advances present various physical and emotional health challenges to patients facing breast cancer and its aftermath. Thus, understanding of the specific medical and psychosocial problems associated with survivorship is paramount in primary care.