The role of the practice nurse in cancer care reviews

Recent years have seen improved outcomes for people diagnosed with cancer, with average life expectancy increasing beyond 10 years on average (Maher et al, 2018). The numbers of people living with cancer continues to grow, with a lifetime risk of cancer of 1 in 2 (Ahmad et al, 2015). With increasing numbers of those living with and beyond cancer (Maddams et al, 2012), there is a greater need for models of care that best meet the needs of those who are surviving, with the role of primary care becoming increasingly important. For many, cancer has transitioned to a long-term condition (LTC).

With 70% of people with cancer having another LTC, as displayed in Figure 1 (Macmillan, 2015), this adds to the complexity of care provision. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2016) outlines best practice for people living with multi-morbidities and emphasises the value of an integrated and holistic approach to care. Initiatives to move follow-up care out of hospital (eg for prostate cancer) enable an integrated approach to care to be possible. In addition, there is growing recognition of the essential role primary care teams have in supporting those living with and beyond cancer, as they have regular ongoing contact with those patients through LTC management (Blane and Lewandowska, 2019).