Integrating Cancer Survivorship into Standard Care: What Hurdles Remain?
-
By
-
Larissa Nekhlyudov
-
Michelle A. Mollica
-
August 19, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Integrating Cancer Survivorship into Standard Care: What Hurdles Remain?
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Cancer Survivorship |
| Key Mechanisms | Comprehensive care addressing risk reduction, recurrence vigilance, symptom management, and chronic disease management. |
| Target Population | Cancer survivors requiring ongoing care and support. |
| Care Setting | Health systems implementing survivorship care programs. |
Key Highlights
- Quality of survivorship care remains inadequate despite increased acknowledgment.
- Barriers include workforce constraints, lack of standardized workflows, and technological limitations.
- New national standards for cancer survivorship care introduced by the NCI in 2024.
- Need for executive-level leadership in survivorship care to ensure compliance and integration.
- Survivorship care is underfunded and disconnected from revenue-generating activities.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Management
- Implement comprehensive survivorship care plans.
- Establish quantifiable quality indicators for survivorship care.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Evaluate health system alignment with national survivorship standards.
Risks
- Fragmentation and siloed care delivery in survivorship.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Individuals who have completed cancer treatment and require ongoing survivorship care.
Integration of clinical and research initiatives is necessary for effective survivorship care.
Clinical Best Practices
- Appoint an executive-level lead for survivorship care.
- Facilitate connections among oncology, specialty care, primary care, and supportive services.
Related Resources & Content
