Views of breast and colorectal cancer survivors on their routine follow-up care

Objective Our understanding of optimum health care delivery for cancer survivors is limited by the lack of a patient-centred perspective. The objectives of the present study were to explore the views of breast and colorectal cancer survivors on their routine follow-up care, with respect to needs, preferences, and quality of follow-up, and their views on cancer specialist- compared with family physician (FP)-led follow-up care. Methods In Nova Scotia, Canada, 23 cancer survivors (13 breast, 10 colorectal) participated in either a focus group or a one-on-one interview. Participants were asked to reflect upon their lives as cancer survivors and on the type and quality of care and support they received during the follow-up period. Each focus group or interview was transcribed verbatim, and the transcripts were audited and subjected to a thematic analysis. Results Six themes were identified: • My care is my responsibility • How I receive information on follow-up care • I have many care needs • I want to be prepared and informed • The role of my FP in my cancer experience and follow-up care • The role of media Survivors often characterized the post-primary treatment experience as lacking in information and preparation for follow-up and providing inadequate support to address many of the care needs prevalent in survivor populations. Despite valuing FP participation in follow-up care, many survivors continued to receive comfort and reassurance from specialist care. Conclusions Our findings point to the need to implement strategies that better prepare breast cancer and colorectal cancer survivors for post-treatment care and that reassure survivors of the ability of their FP to provide quality care during this period.