TURKISH JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2011 , Vol 26 , Num 3
The problems of survivors of childhood cancer and the role of nurses in the follow-up
Ayfer ELÇİGİL,1 Serap TUNA2
1Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Yüksekokulu, Onkoloji Hemşireliği Anabilim Dalı, İzmir
2Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Hastanesi, Kalp Damar Cerrahisi Servisi, İzmir
Advances in the treatment of childhood cancer have resulted in five-year survival rates above 80%. However, childhood cancer survivors may experience a wide variety of late effects stemming from their malignancy and the subsequent therapy. The treatment-related late effects include second malignancies, and endocrine, pulmonary, cardiac, and psychosocial problems. It is estimated that a significant portion of survivors of childhood cancer are not followed regularly in a center familiar with the late effects of their specific therapy. Therefore, it is important for healthcare professionals in any setting to have an understanding of these possible late effects and encourage the survivors to seek appropriate follow-up. Nurses play an important role in the implementation and delivery of treatment and survivorship care plans. Keywords : Nurse; childhood cancer survivors; follow-up