Although there is no standard definition of a cancer recurrence, it is generally understood to refer to a cancer diagnosis following a period of remission. A cancer recurrence may be a secondary cancer or a new cancer diagnosis.
Understanding the frequency and variations in recurrence at a population-level are important at several levels. Linking recurrences to stage at diagnosis, treatments and relative survival can provide a more complete picture of the efficacy of cancer care.
In addition, fear of cancer recurrence is an important aspect of cancer survivorship.1 Understanding the frequency of recurrence can therefore provide an evidence base for follow-up and psychosocial care provided to cancer survivors.
There are currently no national data available for this indicator.
Cancer Australia is exploring approaches to the development and reporting of national cancer recurrence data as part of its Stage, Treatment and Recurrence (STaR) project.
Information about the measure(s):
The measure(s) for this indicator is yet to be determined.