The oncology primary care provider
In 2022, I presented to a group of primary care providers in Seattle on the emerging and increasingly vital role of the Oncology Primary Care Provider — the “Onco-PCP.”
The landscape:
Cancer care has changed dramatically over the past several decades. Patients are living longer, healthier lives after cancer treatment, transforming cancer from an acute illness into a chronic and survivable condition for millions of patients.
The numbers:
In 2026, approximately 2.1 million new cancer cases and more than 626,000 cancer-related deaths are projected to occur in the US. At the same time, the 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers combined has increased to 70%, compared with 49% in the mid-1970s. As of 2025, an estimated 18.6 million cancer survivors were living in the US, with projections exceeding 22 million survivors by 2035. These numbers reflect tremendous advances in cancer treatment — but they also highlight a growing need for specialized survivorship and longitudinal care.
The challenge:
Cancer survivors often face complex medical needs long after active treatment ends. These may include:
- Monitoring for cancer recurrence
- Management of late and long-term side effects of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, or endocrine therapy
- Cardiovascular, metabolic, neurologic, bone, and cognitive complications related to treatment
- Fatigue, pain, neuropathy, and sexual health concerns
- Anxiety, depression, and fear of recurrence
- Coordination of preventive care and chronic disease management in the context of a cancer history
The gap:
Traditional primary care providers are highly skilled in comprehensive medical care; however, many have limited formal training in the immediate and long-term effects of cancer treatment. As a result, cancer survivors are frequently referred back to their medical oncologists for issues that extend beyond active cancer treatment. At the same time, medical oncologists are increasingly focused on diagnosing and treating the more than 2 million new cancer cases each year. This creates a significant gap in survivorship and transitional care.
The Onco-PCP model:
My role is to bridge the gap between oncology and primary care — providing patients with a provider who understands both the complexities of cancer treatment and the importance of whole-person primary care.
I work collaboratively with medical oncologists while also addressing the broader health needs that arise during survivorship and maintenance therapy. This includes evidence-based surveillance, management of treatment-related complications, preventive care, chronic disease management, and helping patients regain confidence in life after cancer. My approach integrates cancer survivorship principles with longitudinal primary care to address the unique physiologic and psychosocial effects that can persist long after treatment ends.
Cancer survivorship is no longer a narrow phase of care — it is a lifelong medical journey. The role of the Onco-PCP is to help patients navigate that journey with confidence, clarity, and comprehensive support.
I can serve as your Onco- PCP here.
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