The likelihood of surviving cancer has steadily increased due to
improved diagnostics, surgical and radiotherapy techniques, molecular
biology and systemic therapy (Ministry of Health [MOH] 2015b,
Malvezzi et al . 2014, Maddams et al . 2008, Manos et
al . 2009). For example, testicular, prostate and female breast cancer
have a one-year relative survival of greater than 90%, a sustained rate
of 80% at five years and 75% at ten years (MOH, 2015a). However,
people who survive cancer can experience significant prolonged
psychosocial and iatrogenic harms caused by symptoms of the disease, and
diagnostic procedures and treatment. These various effects can
singularly or collectively be present long after the original cancer is
no longer detectable or needing active treatment (Fallowfield &
Jenkins, 2015; Berry et al ., 2014). As well as dealing with
ongoing effects, people who have survived cancer also live with the
potential for its recurrence (Hawley et al . 2017). Together,
these characteristics have led to cancer being viewed as a chronic
condition rather than a terminal illness (Tritter & Calnan, 2002; Aziz
& Rowland, 2003), with people who are no longer being cared for by
oncology specialists and in remission for five years or longer, as still
being on the cancer journey (Hewitt, Greenfield, & Stovall, 2006, p.
25; National Cancer Institute, 2014). The terms ‘cancer survivor’
(Institute of Medicine, 2008, p. 23; Richards, Corner, & Maher, 2011)
and ‘Living Beyond Cancer’ (Department of Health, 2013; Department of
Health 2010) have been coined to express the post treatment stage of the
journey.