Follow up after breast cancer -- views of Australian women

Survivorship care after breast cancer treatment is increasingly complex as it aims to manage the long term effects of cancer and its treatment, including psychosocial needs. While survivorship care is traditionally delivered by surgeons and specialist oncologists in Australia, general practitioners are ideally placed to manage these issues.

This study explored the attitudes of 20 breast cancer survivors to GP involvement in follow up care through semi-structured telephone interviews, which were analysed using qualitative methods.

Women were reluctant to change from specialist based care but identified many potential benefits of GP involvement in long term cancer care. They expressed an interest in shared care programs between specialists and GPs. Some participants thought that additional training may be required if GPs were to deliver this care.

This study shows cautious interest from breast cancer survivors for increasing GP involvement in follow up care. These views should be considered as alternative models of care are developed.