ASCO core curriculum for cancer survivorship education

Charles L. Shapiro, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Paul B. Jacobsen, University of North Florida
Tara Henderson, University of North Florida
Arti Hurria, University of North Florida
Larissa Nekhlyudov, University of North Florida
Andrea Ng, University of North Florida
Antonella Surbone, University of North Florida
Deborah K. Mayer, University of North Florida
Julia H. Rowland, University of North Florida

Abstract

The number of individuals who will be diagnosed with cancer and experience personal cures (ie, dying from some other cause and not cancer) or live for extended periods after cancer treatment is increasing exponentially. By 2025, there will be nearly 20 million survivors, approximately two thirds over the age of 60. The ASCO Survivorship Committee, in partnership with ASCO Professional Committee, has developed this core curriculum and competencies for health care providers, training programs, and policymaking organizations. Adapted from Institute of Medicine recommendations for survivorship care, the curriculum and competencies include surveillance for recurrence and second malignancies; long-term and late effects; health promotion and prevention; psychosocial well-being; and special populations including adolescent and young adult survivors, older adult cancer survivors, and the caregivers of cancer survivors. Finally, an area the importance of which cannot be emphasized enough is communication and care coordination. It is our belief that doctors and other allied health professionals require special expertise tomanagethe exponentially expanding evidence-based and best practice recommendations to provide care for cancer survivors.