A survivorship care plan is the record of a patient's cancer history and recommendations for follow-up care. The plan should define responsibilities of cancer-related, non-cancer-related, and psychosocial providers. Clear designation of who is responsible for the various aspects of care can optimize care coordination, avoid unnecessary use of resources, and ensure that care does not "fall through the cracks." Patients should be encouraged to provide a copy of the care plan to their primary care providers and other healthcare providers throughout life.
Elements of a Survivorship Care Plan
Treatment Summary
- Details of the cancer diagnosis
- Diagnosis date
- Type of cancer
- Location
- Stage
- Histology
- Names and contact information of the providers and treatment facilities
- Treatments administered
- Chemotherapy/biotherapy -- regimen, drug, dose, cycles; clinical trial information
- Radiation -- type, dose, site
- Surgery -- procedure
Follow-up Plan
- Specific recommendations for ongoing care
- Schedule of visits with oncology specialist
- Surveillance testing for recurrence
- Identify and manage long-term and late effects
- Health promotional strategies
- Smoking cessation
- Alcohol and dietary modifications
- Regular weight-bearing exercise
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Oncology nurses and physicians from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Survivorship Initiative have developed a cancer treatment summary and follow-up plan template which can be modified by other institutions. This document was designed to be completed by oncology professionals and shared with survivors and survivors' primary care physicians. The template allows customization of the following information:
- Treatment Summary
- surgery
- chemotherapy/biotherapy
- radiation therapy
- Follow-up Plan
- visit schedule
- testing schedule
- cancer screening
- health behavior recommendations
The LIVESTRONGTM Care Plan
The LIVESTRONGTM Care Plan has been developed by a team of oncology nurses and physicians and details the medical challenges a survivor may face. This document will be individualized based on the answers you provide in a brief questionnaire. In order to develop the most accurate plan of care, you may need to talk to your oncology team to have some details of your cancer therapy available. This care plan is meant for you to review and discuss with your healthcare team (both oncology and primary care).
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
ASCO has developed disease specific cancer treatment summaries and follow-up plans. These resources should be given to patients, nurses, and doctors as a record of care planned and received and to promote communication about future health needs. The link below describes and provides access to the templates.
Please Note: These resources are not intended to replace communication with a physician about your cancer care.
For Healthcare Professionals
See our information for healthcare professionals on developing a survivorship care plan.
