Who Is a Cancer Survivor? A Systematic Review of Published Definitions

Abstract

The term "cancer survivor" is commonly used by different persons, clinical institutions, academic bodies, and political organizations although it lacks of a unanimous and detailed definition. The objective of the study is to make a systematic review of published and proposed definitions of "cancer survivor." Utilizing a systematic search strategy with different strings of "cancer survivor," we searched the following databases: Medline (June 1975-June 2015), Scopus (all the years), Web of Science (all the years), Google Scholar (all the years), ERIC (all the years). This review suggests that there is not a unique definition of who is a "cancer survivor" and what is "cancer survivorship." However, the most widely used definition sees cancer survivorship as a process that begins at the moment of diagnosis and continues through the balance of life. This definition highlights psychological and legal patient's needs-as well as medical ones-to receive care and assistance from the beginning and, at the same time, it establishes valid criteria for making scientific and statistical sampling research. The extensive use of the term "cancer survivor" indicates that it is a significant term. This review has been written to outline the state of the art and it invites to reflect on a shared definition that could satisfy both clinical and research aspects. Implication for cancer survivors: this compendium of proposed definitions may improve communication among the many patients and patient organizations that use and work with this term.

Age‐related differences in health‐related quality of life among thyroid cancer survivors compared with a normative sample: Results from the PROFILES Registry

“…3 Overall, the prevalence of thyroid cancer is increasing because of the increasing incidence, high survival rates, and the often young age at diagnosis. 4 Adolescence and young adulthood is a challenging period of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development and changing economic demands. 4 Adolescence and young adulthood is a challenging period of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development and changing economic demands.…”

“…This results in an increase in the number of thyroid cancer survivors, whom we defined according to the most frequently used definition of cancer survivorship in the literature (eg, a person is considered to be a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis through the balance of his or her life). 4 Adolescence and young adulthood is a challenging period of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development and changing economic demands. A cancer diagnosis may have profound effects on the lives of adolescents and young adults, interfering with the attainment of normal developmental milestones.…”

Cancer survivors' experiences of return to work: A qualitative study

“…Cancer survivor is a person with a history of cancer from the time of diagnosis through the remainder of him/her life . Because of advances in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in recent years, the number of cancer survivors has been increasing and many of them are able to return to work …”

Cancer survivorship and palliative care: Shared progress, challenges, and opportunities

“…18 Varying use and interpretations of the definitions confuse patients and clinicians alike regarding what survivorship care truly means. 19 Furthermore, terminology may be problematic because not all patients want to take on the label of "cancer survivor" and its associated advocacy role. 20,21 Although a survivor is defined from the time of diagnosis onward, in this commentary, we define the period covered by survivorship care as the period after primary cancer treatment.…”

“…Survivorship care, although applicable to those living with or those who are beyond cancer, often is restricted in definition to the phase of care after the completion of active treatment . Nevertheless, the National Cancer Institute defines a cancer survivor as an individual “from the time of diagnosis, through the balance of his or her life,” and includes “family members, friends and caregivers who are impacted by the survivorship experience.” Varying use and interpretations of the definitions confuse patients and clinicians alike regarding what survivorship care truly means . Furthermore, terminology may be problematic because not all patients want to take on the label of “cancer survivor” and its associated advocacy role .…”