Chronic condition management models for cancer care and survivorship

Abstract

Improvements in the treatment of cancer have meant that the number of cancer survivors is growing. This group is now more likely to be living with the longer-term adverse effects of cancer on their overall health and wellbeing, and to develop comorbid chronic conditions that require ongoing care in the community, beyond the cancer clinic. People with chronic conditions are also generally living longer due to improvements in treatment, care and support options and therefore are at risk of developing cancer as they age. This chapter outlines a range of chronic condition management models likely to be necessary for effective self-management support to cancer patients and survivors who suffer from and develop chronic conditions, or have risk factors for their development, and people with chronic conditions who also go on to develop cancer. Integrated care and communication issues across healthcare transitions are briefly discussed.