A review in American Family Physician, published on 1 October, sets out how family physicians support patients through cancer treatment and beyond. It is a narrative review rather than a study.
Its central points are practical. Keep the cancer diagnosis and current treatment visible in the record, because new symptoms may be treatment effects or oncological emergencies. Expect chronic disease to become harder to manage during treatment: diabetes control matters for surgery, wound healing and chemotherapy. Screen for cardiovascular disease in patients with risk factors or exposure to cardiotoxic treatments. Encourage regular physical activity during treatment for quality of life.
The family physician is often the first contact when a side effect appears, and coordination with oncology is what keeps care from fragmenting.
In India, where many patients travel far for oncology and return home between cycles, the local family physician's role in recognising complications is larger still.
- Record the cancer type, current treatment and oncology contact on the problem list.
- Assess new fever, breathlessness or confusion in a patient on chemotherapy as a possible emergency.
- Tighten diabetes control before planned cancer surgery.
- Check cardiovascular risk in patients who received cardiotoxic treatment.
- Encourage regular physical activity during treatment where safe.
Why it matters
Most treatment complications present first to whoever the patient sees nearest home.
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