[Long-term effects of cancer. Aftercare and rehabilitation requirements]

Long-term and late effects of cancer and treatment are playing an increasingly important role within the care of cancer patients. International and national guidelines emphasize the importance of a comprehensive survivorship care plan forcancer patients. A comprehensive survivorship care plan aims at ensuring continuity of care and improving communication and cooperation amongthe inpatient, outpatient and rehabilitative care professions involved. Thus, cancer rehabilitation has a high priority within a comprehensive aftercare plan. The article identifies requirements concerning rehabilitation assessment and rehabilitation treatment planning, and refers to the significance of providing interventions tailored to the individual problems and rehabilitation goals of the patient as well as flexible service offerings. Furthermore, the article emphasizes the importance of cooperation between different in- and outpatient cancer care facilities ensuring the continuity of care. Thus, rehabilitation requirements involve the expansion of the community outpatient rehabilitation services that are involved in care at cancer centers.