Breast Cancer Follow-Up: Strategies for Successful Collaboration between Cancer Care Specialists and Primary Care Providers

Nurse practitioners working in family or primary care often need to incorporate specialty care knowledge into their practice. Knowledge of breast cancer staging, treatment, common side effects, and possible long-term sequelae is critically important for primary care nurse practitioners caring for women with a history of breast cancer. The unique considerations of breast cancer staging, treatment, and long-term effects are reviewed in this article. The importance of optimal communication between the cancer care provider and the primary care providers is highlighted.