Clinicians across Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Oak Valley Health (OVH) will collaborate to develop a Nurse Practitioner (NP)-led Breast Cancer Survivorship Pilot Program to improve access to specialized services for patients and providers in the Markham-Stouffville region. The program will provide patient-centred survivorship care to breast cancer patients who have undergone curative intent treatment and are experiencing significant post-treatment effects or psychological distress related to their cancer diagnosis and/or treatment.

From left to right: Megan Wilson (OVH), Dr. Leena Hajra (OVH); Dr. Jennifer Jones (PM)
Although survivorship care is currently integrated into active follow-up at OVH, the current resources do not meet the needs of those patients, thus calling for a change to the model of care. The positive impact of patient-centred survivorship care on quality of life, functional status and satisfaction with care would be substantial, and is well-documented in the literature. For larger cancer centres, survivorship resources are widely available and well developed. However, successful implementation of a survivorship program in a smaller community cancer centre, where resources are limited, will have implications for those community organizations who have similar gaps.
The project will run for 1 year and follow each patient for 6 months. It includes a comprehensive assessment by a NP, the development of a survivorship care plan, dissemination of patient education materials, and resource matching and referrals. By fostering collaborative clinical care, enhancing system efficiencies, optimizing resource allocation, and promoting equitable access, this initiative will significantly contribute to advancing the field of breast cancer survivorship.