Document Provides Details of Cancer Treatment

"Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it."

-- -Samuel Johnson

This scenario is all too familiar. A new patient has undergone prior cancer treatment at another hospital and comes in for an initial consultation. We spend several frustrating minutes trying to get more details.

"Do you know where the cancer started?" I ask.

"Not exactly. In my throat somewhere," the patient answers.

"What kind of cancer did you have?"

"I'm not sure."

"Do you remember the names of the drugs they needed to treat the cancer?"

"I have no idea."

For patients treated more than a couple of years ago, many don't remember the names of the treating physicians. It seems remarkable that such a life-changing event becomes so shrouded in medical mystery for patients and their families. It is as though we treat them and just send them on their way.

The lack of a basic understanding is very common; many cancer survivors know next to nothing about the details of their treatment. The National Academy of Sciences has recently addressed this problem in a report titled From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition. Among its suggestions, the report urges care providers to provide each cancer survivor with a tailored Survivorship Care Plan that includes:

• A summary of the diagnosis, treatment and potential consequences
• The timing and content of follow-up visits
• Tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing recurrent or new cancers
• Legal rights affecting employment and insurance
• The availability of psychological and support services

Recently, we started sending a treatment summary and follow-up information to each of our patients and their other physicians as treatment is completed. The document serves as a milepost: You have finished your cancer treatment? Congratulations! Here's what happened. Here's what to expect. Here's who to call if you have questions.

My car was recently in the shop and I received an itemized record of what they attempted to fix and a list of parts they replaced. I don't understand exactly what was accomplished, but I now have a piece of paper that I can show to the next mechanic.

Our patients deserve at least as much.

Bruce H. Campbell, MD, FACS
Professor of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences
Chief, Division of Head and Neck Oncology
Interim Director, The Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center

"Reflections" is a collection of essays by the health professionals of the Medical College of Wisconsin.