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The perceived role of cancer specialists in breast cancer-related arm morbidity care

Rhona Shaw, Roanne Thomas
15 December 2014

<p>This article addresses a gap in the cancer survivorship literature regarding clinician responsibility for the treatment of breast cancer-related arm morbidity. The authors interviewed cancer specialists in Canada about their role in the continuing care needs of breast cancer survivors. Utilising a grounded theory methodology, 14 cancer specialists (medical, radiation, and surgical oncologists) from British Columbia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Saskatchewan, were interviewed. Cancer specialists reported they are not prepared to engage in the care of patients with breast cancer treatment-related arm morbidity. Rehabilitative clinicians (i.e. physiotherapy, massage therapy) trained in lymphoedema care and family physicians were seen as the appropriate practitioners to treat and manage survivors’ lymphoedema care needs. Findings indicate that the treatment and management of breast cancer survivors’ arm morbidity needs is perceived by cancer specialists to be beyond their scope of practice, interests and expertise. Nevertheless, there is an important role for cancer specialists in educating patients about treatment-related lymphoedema.</p>

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