Current Oncology (Feb 2023)

Risk Stratified Follow-Up for Endometrial Cancer: The Clinicians’ Perspective

  • Anumithra Amirthanayagam,
  • Louise Boulter,
  • Nessa Millet,
  • Hilary J. McDermott,
  • Jo Morrison,
  • Alexandra Taylor,
  • Tracie Miles,
  • Lorna Coton,
  • Esther L. Moss

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol30020173
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 30, no. 2
pp. 2237 – 2248

Abstract

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Risk-stratified follow-up for endometrial cancer (EC) is being introduced in many cancer centres; however, there appears to be diversity in the structure and availability of schemes across the UK. This study aimed to investigate clinicians’ and clinical specialist nurses’ (CNS) experiences of follow-up schemes for EC, including patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU), telephone follow-up (TFU) and clinician-led hospital follow-up (HFU). A mixed-methods study was conducted, consisting of an online questionnaire to CNSs, an audience survey of participants attending a national “Personalising Endometrial Cancer Follow-up” educational meeting, and qualitative semi-structured telephone interviews with clinicians involved in the follow-up of EC. Thematic analysis identified three main themes to describe clinicians’ views: appropriate patient selection; changing from HFU to PIFU schemes; and the future of EC follow-up schemes. Many participants reported that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted EC follow-up by accelerating the transition to PIFU/TFU. Overall, there was increasing support for non-HFU schemes for patients who have completed primary treatment of EC; however, barriers were identified for non-English-speaking patients and those who had communication challenges. Given the good long-term outcome associated with EC, greater focus is needed to develop resources to support patients post-treatment and individualise follow-up according to patients’ personal needs and preferences.

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