International Survey of Pediatric Oncologists' Beliefs and Communication Practices Regarding Symptom Self-Monitoring by Childhood Cancer Survivors.
Sarah N WebsterSheri L SpuntSarah J CunninghamClaire E WakefieldStephanie M SmithNicole M AlbertsOxana PaleshLaura E SimonsLauren Charlotte HeathcotePublished in: JCO oncology practice (2023)
Despite nearly universal belief that their off-therapy patients should self-monitor for symptoms of disease recurrence and late effects, a substantial proportion of pediatric oncologists do not counsel patients on symptom self-monitoring. Since nearly one-third believe that off-therapy patients worry unnecessarily about symptoms of recurrence, improving patient education regarding which symptoms are and are not medically concerning could decrease stress and improve health-related quality of life for pediatric cancer survivors.