Supported self-management for cancer survivors to address long-term biopsychosocial consequences of cancer and treatment to optimize living well

Purpose of review As individuals are living longer with cancer as a chronic disease, they face new health challenges that require the application of self-management behaviors and skills that may not be in their usual repertoire of self-regulatory health behaviors. Increasing attention is focused on supported self-management (SSM) programs to enable survivors in managing the long-term biopsychosocial consequences and health challenges of survivorship. This review explores current directions and evidence for SSM programs that enable survivors to manage these consequences and optimize health. Recent findings Cancer survivors face complex health challenges that affect daily functioning and well being. Multiple systematic reviews show that SSM programs have positive effects on health outcomes in typical chronic diseases. However, the efficacy of these approaches in cancer survivors are in their infancy; and the 'one-size' fits all approach for chronic disease self-management may not be adequate for cancer as a complex chronic illness. This review suggests that SSM has promising potential for improving health and well being of cancer survivors, but there is a need for standardizing SSM for future research. Summary Although there is increasing enthusiasm for SSM programs tailored to cancer survivors, there is a need for further research of their efficacy on long-term health outcomes. Correspondence to Doris D. Howell, RN, PhD, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Ave., Room 15-617, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 2M9. E-mail: Doris.howell@uhn.ca Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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