Cancer Survivorship and Supportive Care: Insights for GPs from Dr Sarah Heynemann

In this episode of The Good GP, Dr Sean Stevens welcomes Dr Sarah Heynemann, a Melbourne-based early career medical oncologist and PhD candidate with Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney. Dr Heynemann brings valuable insights into the changes in cancer care and cancer survivorship over the years. She discusses the impact of advances in cancer therapies, such as immunotherapy and targeted therapies, on the prognosis and quality of life for patients with cancer, particularly those with historically poor prognoses. She emphasises the need for GPs to be aware of the ongoing supportive care needs of patients, even if the tumour appears stable, and highlights the importance of effective communication across multidisciplinary teams for comprehensive cancer survivorship care.

Additionally, Sarah sheds light on upcoming cancer therapies and emphasises the evolving role of GPs in navigating the complexities of cancer care.

Recommending two key resources – the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre’s online course for primary care practitioners and the Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre based out of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. She also mentions an recent article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology which provides an overview of the future of survivorship for patients living with metastatic cancer.

Resources & Links:

• 'Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care Practitioners' VCCC course starts 25th March 2024. Weblink here: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/cancer-survivorship
• Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre based at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre https://www.petermac.org/patients-and-carers/support-and-wellbeing/life-after-treatment

• The article Sarah referenced was published last year in the Journal of Clinical Oncology https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.22.02212?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed

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