Survivorship perspectives and advocacy

Abstract

From the moment of diagnosis, a cancer survivor faces serious life-altering decisions. Survivors who are informed about their options and who feel they have personal control over decision making generally perceive a higher quality of life than those who feel less informed and less in control. Health care providers are in a unique position to define a survivor's cancer care and to guide a survivor through treatment and post-treatment care. By implementing survivorship care plans and directing their patients to survivorship resources, health care providers can advocate for survivors and teach them to be effective self-advocates. © 2006 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.