Project Summary
With improving cancer detection and treatment, millions of people are surviving and thriving beyond cancer. The number of cancer survivors, estimated at 14.5 million in the United States in 2014, is expected to increase to 19 million by 2024. While many cancer survivors experience good health post-treatment, an estimated 20 percent have ongoing healthcare needs related to long-term and late effects of treatment. The problem is that little evidence exists to guide the best care for post-treatment cancer survivors, and patient-centered outcomes research is needed to provide feasible, efficient, and meaningful care to this growing population. The perspective of vulnerable cancer survivors, including older survivors, minorities, and those receiving care in local or rural communities, is rarely reflected in survivorship research.
The purpose of the Patient-Centered Cancer Survivorship Care: Improving Quality of Care and Quality of Life for Survivors in Georgia Pipeline to Proposal award is to develop collaborative partnerships with multiple stakeholders in Georgia in order to develop patient-centered outcomes research that more closely reflects the needs of vulnerable survivors in the state. Our activities in this Tier II stage will include the following: 1. Connect statewide and nationally with stakeholders interested in the needs of vulnerable cancer survivors in Georgia. 2. Explore extant survivor needs, survivorship care programs, and indicators of care quality in Georgia. 3. Strengthen the existing partnership. 4. Communicate effectively with partners and stakeholders.