Ryo Okubo1, Saho Wada1, Yoichi Shimizu1, Katsunori Tsuji1, Akiko Hanai1, Kenjiro Imai2, Yosuke Uchitomi1, Yasuhiro Fujiwara3, Shoichiro Tsugane4, Yutaka J Matsuoka1. 1. Behavioral Science and Survivorship Research Group, Center for Public Health Sciences, National Cancer Center Japan, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 2. Division of Health Services Research, Diabetes and Metabolism Information Center, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. 3. Strategic Planning Bureau, National Cancer Center Japan, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. 4. Center for Public Health Sciences, National Cancer Center Japan, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Optimal cancer survivorship care needs its comprehensive guidelines. We aimed to identify English and Japanese guidelines that include cancer survivorship in their title, the issues highlighted in such guidelines, and any existing oncology practice guidelines in Japan that address these issues. METHODS: This literature review was performed in three stages. First, guidelines published in English or Japanese that included cancer survivorship in the title were identified. Then, the issues that each cancer survivorship guideline addressed were defined. Lastly, Japanese guidelines that include survivorship issues were sought. RESULTS: Six guidelines published in English addressed 31 cancer survivorship issues. No specific cancer survivorship guideline was available in Japanese. Thirty-four Japanese guidelines mentioned cancer survivorship issues. These guidelines addressed screening/surveillance for detecting recurrence or secondary cancer but did not address coordination of care, implications for practice, or inclusion of family. At present, Japanese guidelines poorly address the issue of promotion of a healthy lifestyle in cancer survivors. Also, poorly addressed were long-term and late effects such as pain, psychological distress, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, cardiovascular effects (including anthracycline-induced cardiac toxicity), sleep disorders, and sexual dysfunction in cancer survivors. CONCLUSION: There is a need for guidelines on optimal coordination of care between oncologists and other health care providers to support patients along the cancer care continuum and specifically to encourage a healthy lifestyle as part of cancer survivorship. The development of a comprehensive Japanese guideline that addresses these issues would help to improve the clinical outcome for cancer survivors in Japan.
BACKGROUND: Optimal cancer survivorship care needs its comprehensive guidelines. We aimed to identify English and Japanese guidelines that include cancer survivorship in their title, the issues highlighted in such guidelines, and any existing oncology practice guidelines in Japan that address these issues. METHODS: This literature review was performed in three stages. First, guidelines published in English or Japanese that included cancer survivorship in the title were identified. Then, the issues that each cancer survivorship guideline addressed were defined. Lastly, Japanese guidelines that include survivorship issues were sought. RESULTS: Six guidelines published in English addressed 31 cancer survivorship issues. No specific cancer survivorship guideline was available in Japanese. Thirty-four Japanese guidelines mentioned cancer survivorship issues. These guidelines addressed screening/surveillance for detecting recurrence or secondary cancer but did not address coordination of care, implications for practice, or inclusion of family. At present, Japanese guidelines poorly address the issue of promotion of a healthy lifestyle in cancer survivors. Also, poorly addressed were long-term and late effects such as pain, psychological distress, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, cardiovascular effects (including anthracycline-induced cardiac toxicity), sleep disorders, and sexual dysfunction in cancer survivors. CONCLUSION: There is a need for guidelines on optimal coordination of care between oncologists and other health care providers to support patients along the cancer care continuum and specifically to encourage a healthy lifestyle as part of cancer survivorship. The development of a comprehensive Japanese guideline that addresses these issues would help to improve the clinical outcome for cancer survivors in Japan.