Physical late effects in adult cancer survivors

Abstract

There are nearly 12 million cancer survivors living in the US today, and these individuals are at risk for long-term physical complications of treatment. Although development of less toxic treatments such as targeted therapies is helping to decrease the risk of physical effects in individual survivors, the absolute burden of physical complications in cancer survivors is increasing owing to growing numbers of cancer survivors combined with demographic and health trends such as population aging. In cancer survivors, direct effects of cancer and treatment exposures converge with pre-existing risk factors such as age, comorbidities, heredity, and lifestyle factors to elevate the risk of physical complications. Oncology nurses have a pivotal role to play in cancer survivorship. This article will provide an overview of physical effects of cancer and its treatment in cancer survivors, identify resources to help guide management, and highlight strategies for integrating cancer survivorship care and education into clinical practice.