Growing Need for Primary Care Physicians Caring for Cancer Survivors

A rising population of cancer survivors is accompanied by a shortage of oncologists for continuity of care. This study examined the physicians who provided most of the care for cancer survivors, along with written information provided to the survivors before transfer of care.

Data were collected through the CDC-sponsored Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Our analysis involved states whose respondents completed a cancer survivorship module from 2016 to 2020. Primary measures were the proportions of physician specialists who provided most of their subsequent health care and the proportions of survivors who received written summaries of their care and instructions.

The 36,737 cancer survivor respondents came from 33 states. Most of their health care came from primary care physicians [family physicians (42.3%, 95% CI: 41.3-43.2%) and general internists (26.0%, 95% CI: 25.2-26.9%)]. When seen by primary care physicians rather than subspecialists, a lower proportion of patients recalled receiving summaries of either their cancer treatments (44.3%, 95% CI: 42.5 to 46.2 vs 50.5%, 95% CI: 49.4 to 51.7%) or follow-up instructions (69.9%, 95% CI: 68.8 to 71.0% vs 78.7%, 95%CI 77.1 to 80.2%), regardless of their cancer type.

Regardless of their cancer type, two-thirds of survivors received most of their health care from primary care physicians. Collaborative community-based care within a shared decision-making framework is essential to prioritize and individualize patients' understandings and needs in this growing population.