Psychosocial impact of breast cancer in long-term survival: proposal of an integral follow-up care for survivors

The aim of the article is to show the psychosocial impact of breast cancer in the long-term survival and to promote the idea of implementing a follow-up plan for survivors. A narrative review of published articles on the experience of survival in breast cancer survivors was conducted. Data were organised according to the domains of measurement (physical, psychological and social) of the Quality of Life of Long-term Breast Cancer Survivors Scale (LTQOL-BC). Breast cancer survivors may feel emotionally affected by the physical sequels (mastectomy, lymphedema, early menopause, and infertility), psychological (fear of recurrence and emotional stress) and/or social (family relationships and employment changes). The data are the foundation of a proposal of specific follow-up care for breast cancer survivors.