Looking Beyond Recurrence: Comorbidities in Cancer Survivors
- 28 January 2011
- journal article
- Published by Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) in Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing
- Vol. 15 (1), E3-E12
- https://doi.org/10.1188/11.cjon.e3-e12
Abstract
Cancer recurrence is a very real concern for cancer survivors. Surveillance for recurrence and vigilance for development of new cancers are top priorities during follow-up visits after active treatment ends. However, the cancer survivor also is at risk for the development of comorbid conditions. These conditions, including obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, menopause, decreased bone mass, hypertension, and hypothyroidism, are discussed with their relevance for general health and their relationships to disease-specific cancers. All of these conditions should be routinely addressed as part of the patient's survivorship care when appropriate. The oncology nurse is in a prime position to educate survivors about the risks for these conditions, both through evidence-based practice guidelines specific to each condition and also through the use of a treatment summary and care plan. This article discusses these selected comorbidities and offers strategies for nurses to address them with survivors during follow-up visits. Clinical practice guidelines for comorbidities are included, along with oncology implications and relevance for survivors. Recommendations for modifiable risk factors and healthy living also are included, along with Web sites for survivorship care plans.Keywords
This publication has 42 references indexed in Scilit:
- Cardiotoxicity of Anticancer Drugs: The Need for Cardio-Oncology and Cardio-Oncological PreventionJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2010
- Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes MellitusDiabetes Care, 2010
- Executive Summary: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2010Diabetes Care, 2010
- Pharmacotherapeutic management of osteoprosis and osteopeniaThe Nurse Practitioner, 2009
- Once-Yearly Zoledronic Acid for Treatment of Postmenopausal OsteoporosisThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2007
- Skeletal effects of exemestane on bone-mineral density, bone biomarkers, and fracture incidence in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer participating in the Intergroup Exemestane Study (IES): a randomised controlled studyThe Lancet Oncology, 2007
- Symptoms and Treatment in Cancer Therapy-Induced Early MenopauseThe Oncologist, 2006
- American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Medical Guidelines for Clinical Practice for The Diagnosis and Treatment Of MenopauseEndocrine Practice, 2006
- Thyroid toxicity of treatment for Hodgkin's diseaseAnnals of Hematology, 2000
- Body weight: estimation of risk for breast and endometrial cancersThe American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1996