A review of breast cancer survivorship issues from survivors' perspectives.

Despite the fact that more breast cancer survivors are currently enjoying longer lifespans there remains limited knowledge about the factors and issues that are of greatest significance for these survivors particularly from their perspectives This review was based on the concept that the topics addressed should focus on the perspectives of current survivors and should be extended to future modalities which physicians will be able to use to gain a better understanding of the hidden needs of these patients We intended to choose and review dimensions other than the pathology and the disease process that could have been overlooked during treatment The eight topics upon which we focused included delay of treatment and survival outcome sexual well being concerns about childbearing tailored follow up presence of a family history of breast cancer diet and physical activity for survivors and their families qualitative approach toward understanding of breast cancer survivorship and mobile health care for breast cancer survivors Through this review we aimed to examine the present clinical basis of the central issues noted from the survivors perspectives and suggest a direction for future survivorship related research