Developing Care Networks for Young Women with Breast Cancer: Closing the Survivorship Gap During and After Endocrine Therapy

Endocrine therapy is widely utilized for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and is accompanied by significant side effects for premenopausal patients. The duration of therapy may extend up to 10 years, requiring patients and their families to undergo lasting adaptations to their way of life. During the early course of adjustment to therapy, a core set of interventions is indicated to address short-term impacts of therapy and maintain adherence. In the long term, early preventative health care is also indicated to manage cardiovascular and bone health into the survivorship period. Addressing this breadth of short- and long-term care needs for premenopausal breast cancer survivors necessitates intervention from an array of health care providers. Furthermore, the survivorship needs of each patient can be highly individualized, requiring a unique set of expertise to maintain adherence and long-term wellbeing. With the implementation of standardized, multidisciplinary follow-up for premenopausal hormone receptor-positive breast cancer survivors, transitions of care may be completed in a way that optimizes timely delivery of programming and clearly outlines the roles of each provider in the provision of high-quality care.