LIFE AFTER CANCER

Follow-up Care

Lifetime follow-up protocols for treated cancer patients: passive and active OPD tracking methods, disease status monitoring, and long-term 5-year survival outcomes.

The goal of the registry is to have lifetime follow-up of treated cases at Cancer Institute. This is achieved by two primary methods to ensure continuity of long-term care and vital status documentation.

Follow-up Care

Methods of Lifetime Follow-Up

Method 01

Passive Method: The patient is seen in the OPD on regular scheduled visit. There is no intervention of reminders for follow-up i.e. the patient visits the hospital “on their own” and the information of the vital status is updated from the OPD visits.

Method 02

Active Method: Defaulters of passive follow-up are contacted to attend OPD or know about their vital status. This is done by using any contact methods approved by the patients at the time of admission. The order of telephone active follow-up will be first the patients, spouse/parents/children, siblings, relative and friends. Next OPD appointment is assigned for patients requesting for appointment. Vital status, date and responder are noted for record purpose.

Clinical Disease Status & Follow-Up Significance

Disease status of patient is an important factor related with the clinical follow-up. Patients who are asymptomatic may be irregular to follow-up. The other case may be that the patient is on symptomatic/supportive care due to progression of the disease. In both the cases follow-up activity has to be undertaken because in the first instance it acts as a reminder whereas in the second it is important to document the vital status and date of the event.

Proven Registry Effectiveness: The Hospital Cancer Registry at the Cancer Institute (WIA) has demonstrated the effectiveness of its system in dealing with different groups of patients and its applicability in any setting. It only needs personnel from the registry to be dedicated exclusively for the purpose of dealing with follow up enquiry attempts and documentation.

5-Year Survival Benchmark Outcomes (1991–2018)

Increased Survival at 5 years over the period 1991-2018 reflects the pattern of care and treatment given to the patients:

Cervix Cancer: 5-year survival increased from 59.0% (1991–92) to 65.8% (2017–18).

Breast Cancer: 5-year survival increased from 56.3% to 72.4% over the same period.

Acute Lymphoid Leukemia (ALL): 5-year survival increased dramatically from 30.0% to 70.0%.

Continuity of Carefor a Brighter Tomorrow

Our lifetime follow-up care ensures that every patient receives enduring surveillance, expert guidance, and compassionate medical attention throughout survivorship.