On February 4, marking World Cancer Day, Slovenia hosted the 5th Strategic Conference "Living with Cancer – Challenges Faced by Cancer Patients and Monitoring Late Effects of Treatment." The conference, organized by ONKO NET, the Medical Chamber of Slovenia, and FarmaForum, addressed the growing need for systematic, long-term monitoring of cancer survivors.

Cancer Survival Brings New Challenges

With over 130,000 cancer survivors in Slovenia and 17,000 new diagnoses annually, advancements in treatment have improved survival rates, yet many patients continue to face long-term health consequences. These late effects - ranging from cardiovascular complications and secondary cancers to psychological and social challenges - demand structured follow-up care to ensure a better quality of life post-treatment.

The Need for Systematic and Multidisciplinary Care

Experts, patient advocates, and policymakers discussed how to transition from current care to a more structured, multidisciplinary approach. While childhood cancer survivors in Slovenia already benefit from systematic follow-up programs, adult survivors still lack a comprehensive monitoring system. The goal is to establish personalized, digitally supported follow-up plans that transition patient care from oncologists to primary healthcare professionals, ensuring continuity and accessibility.

Mag. Barbara Stegel, Secretary General of FarmaForum, emphasized the importance of collaboration between patient organizations and healthcare professionals, highlighting previous successes, such as the legal recognition of the "right to be forgotten" and advancements in lung and prostate cancer screening programs.

Experts and Patients Advocate for Change

Doc. Dr. Lorna Zadravec Zaletel, head of the Late-Effects Monitoring Unit at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, emphasized that childhood cancer survivors face a significantly higher risk of late effects, with three out of four experiencing long-term health complications. Family medicine specialist Dr. Vesna Homar emphasized the importance of integrating primary care physicians into survivorship management, ensuring clear guidelines on patient follow-up.

Patients shared their personal experiences, reinforcing the need for greater awareness and psychosocial support. Maja Sedej, a colon cancer survivor, stressed the importance of attending follow-ups, while Brina Žagar highlighted the challenges patients face navigating the system without structured support.

A Step Towards Systematic Late-Effect Monitoring

A key takeaway from the conference was the commitment to developing follow-up guidelines for adult cancer survivors. Mag. Ana Vodičar from the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia stressed the economic impact of late-effect monitoring, noting that over half of cancer-related costs are indirect, like sick leave and early retirement.

Vesna Marinko, Director General of the Directorate for Public Health at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of improving cancer treatment and patient care. “With cancer posing a growing social burden, especially due to an aging population, we must strengthen prevention, early detection, and comprehensive care. Monitoring long-term treatment effects must be both professionally justified and financially sustainable.”

The closing discussion, led by Doc. Dr. Tit Albreht, concluded that while Slovenia has made significant progress, expanding systematic monitoring remains crucial to ensuring equal access for all patients, regardless of their cancer type or location.

This conference reaffirmed an essential message: surviving cancer is only the first step - ensuring long-term health and quality of life requires continued care, research, and systemic solutions.