The School of Nursing a proposal to lead the way in caring for long-term cancer survivors

The School of Nursing at the University of Navarra hosted the presentation Nerea Elizondo’s thesis , titled “Care Guidelines for Long-Term Cancer Survivors and Their Families.” This research, supervised by Professor Cristina García Vivar and the Faculty’s Vice Dean, Virginia La Rosa, proposes a paradigm shift in the healthcare system: moving from reactive care to a model that ensures comprehensive and systematic follow-up for patients who have overcome the acute phase of the disease.

Over the past five years, cancer survival rates have risen exponentially, reaching over 80% overall. This clinical success has given rise to a new profile : the long-term cancer survivor (LTCS), defined as a person who is still alive five years after diagnosis.

However, the current healthcare system has not yet adapted its Structures this new reality. As Nerea Elizondo explains, there is a "lack of awareness on the part of the system and healthcare professionals" regarding the specific needs of this population, which results in "opportunistic" and inequitable care that relies too heavily on the individual sensitivity of each professional.

Nursing Leadership and Primary Care
research provides 58 consensus guidelines for transforming the care of these patients. The proposal is that Primary Care take the lead in this care, with nurses serving as the backbone. "The nurse’s clinical proximity allows for early detection of needs and the provision of comprehensive psychosocial support," notes Virginia La Rosa.

The model the implementation of Survivor Care Plans (SCPs) coordinated by advanced nursing staff, such as link nurses link case managers. These professionals would be responsible for facilitating the "de-escalation" process from the hospital to the community, ensuring that patients do not feel "lost in the transition" upon completing their cancer treatment.

Furthermore, one of the most innovative aspects of the thesis the formal recognition of the family as a "secondary survivor. " The research that cancer has a profound impact on the patient's environment, creating emotional and socioeconomic needs that are often overlooked in internship . The new model involve the family from the moment of diagnosis, actively engaging them in appointments and follow-up care.

Toward a Systematic Future
proposal aims not only to improve quality of life but also to enhance the system’s efficiency. “I envision care for long-term survivors in 10 years’ time as being similar to that for patients with hypertension: well-organized, coordinated, and yielding good results,” the researcher states.

To achieve this, the thesis policymakers to take three urgent measures:
1. Establish the profile survivor profile within the healthcare system’s chronic disease management strategies.
2. Develop specific care plans in primary care.
3. Recognize and strengthen the roles of advanced practice nurses as central coordinators of this care.

With this work, the University of School of Nursing reaffirms its commitment to research and improving internship , positioning nursing as the driving force for change needed to address the challenges of chronic conditions in cancer survival.