Personalized cancer care plan illustration

Your Cancer Care Plan: Is It Tailored to YOU?

Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness July 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals how personalized care plans can significantly improve the well-being of cancer survivors, but only if they align with individual coping styles."

For many cancer survivors, the end of treatment marks the beginning of a new journey. Survivorship care plans (SCPs) have emerged as a vital tool in coordinating ongoing care and addressing the unique needs of individuals post-treatment. These plans aim to provide a roadmap for managing long-term health, potential side effects, and overall well-being. However, the effectiveness of SCPs can vary significantly from person to person.

A recent study published in Cancer sheds light on why some cancer survivors benefit more from SCPs than others. The key lies in understanding a patient’s individual coping style—specifically, whether they are 'monitors' (information-seekers) or 'blunters' (information-avoiders). This distinction can significantly influence how a survivor perceives and utilizes their care plan.

This article dives into the findings of this research, exploring how tailoring SCPs to match a patient's coping style can lead to improved satisfaction, reduced anxiety, and a more effective path to recovery. We’ll uncover the insights that can help both patients and healthcare providers personalize cancer care for optimal outcomes.

Are You a Monitor or a Blunter? Why It Matters for Your Care Plan

Personalized cancer care plan illustration

Before diving into the research, it's important to understand the two primary coping styles identified in the study:

Monitors: These individuals actively seek out information about their health, treatment, and potential risks. They want to be well-informed and involved in every decision.

Blunters: These individuals prefer to avoid detailed information about their health. They may find it overwhelming or anxiety-provoking and prefer to focus on other aspects of their life.

The study, led by Belle H. de Rooij and colleagues, investigated how these coping styles influenced the effectiveness of SCPs in a group of gynecological cancer survivors. The researchers discovered that monitors and blunters responded very differently to the same care plans.

The Future of Cancer Care: Tailoring Plans for YOU

The research underscores a critical point: a one-size-fits-all approach to cancer survivorship care is not sufficient. To maximize the benefits of SCPs, healthcare providers need to assess a patient's coping style and tailor the plan accordingly.

For monitors, this might mean providing detailed information, access to online resources, and opportunities to ask questions. For blunters, a more concise and less overwhelming plan, focusing on practical steps and emotional support, may be more effective.

Ultimately, the goal is to empower every cancer survivor to navigate their post-treatment journey with confidence and well-being. By recognizing and addressing individual information needs and coping preferences, we can make survivorship care plans a truly valuable tool for all.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1002/cncr.31844, Alternate LINK

Title: Patients’ Information Coping Styles Influence The Benefit Of A Survivorship Care Plan In The Rogy Care Trial: New Insights For Tailored Delivery

Subject: Cancer Research

Journal: Cancer

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Belle H. De Rooij, Nicole P. M. Ezendam, M. Caroline Vos, Johanna M. A. Pijnenborg, Dorry Boll, Roy F. P. M. Kruitwagen, Lonneke V. Van De Poll‐Franse

Published: 2018-11-30

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly are survivorship care plans (SCPs) and why are they important for cancer survivors?

Survivorship care plans (SCPs) are designed to help cancer survivors manage their health after treatment. They act as a roadmap, addressing long-term health concerns, potential side effects from treatment, and overall well-being. The idea is to provide coordinated care and support as survivors transition to a new phase of life. However, simply having an SCP isn't enough; its effectiveness depends on how well it fits the individual's needs and preferences.

What are 'monitors' and 'blunters' in the context of cancer care, and why do these coping styles matter?

The study identified two primary coping styles that significantly impact how cancer survivors respond to survivorship care plans (SCPs): 'monitors,' who actively seek information and want to be involved in every decision, and 'blunters,' who prefer to avoid detailed information and may find it overwhelming. Understanding these coping styles is crucial because it influences how survivors perceive and utilize their SCPs, ultimately affecting their satisfaction and recovery.

How should survivorship care plans (SCPs) be tailored differently for 'monitors' versus 'blunters'?

For 'monitors,' a survivorship care plan (SCP) should be detailed, comprehensive, and provide in-depth information about their condition, potential risks, and ongoing care. They benefit from having access to resources, research findings, and opportunities to actively participate in decision-making. On the other hand, 'blunters' may prefer a simpler, less overwhelming SCP that focuses on key recommendations and avoids excessive detail. Regular follow-ups and a supportive healthcare team can also help 'blunters' feel more secure and cared for without being overloaded with information.

Why is it so important to avoid a 'one-size-fits-all' approach when creating survivorship care plans (SCPs) for cancer survivors?

The research emphasizes that a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to cancer survivorship care plans (SCPs) is not effective. Healthcare providers need to assess a patient's coping style—whether they are a 'monitor' or a 'blunter'—and then tailor the SCP accordingly. This personalized approach can lead to improved patient satisfaction, reduced anxiety, and a more effective path to recovery. Ignoring these individual differences can result in SCPs that are either too overwhelming or not informative enough, reducing their overall benefit.

What are the broader implications of tailoring survivorship care plans (SCPs) based on individual coping styles for both patients and healthcare providers?

Tailoring survivorship care plans (SCPs) based on coping styles ('monitors' vs. 'blunters') has significant implications for both patients and healthcare providers. For patients, it means receiving a care plan that is better suited to their individual needs and preferences, leading to improved satisfaction and reduced anxiety. For healthcare providers, it requires a shift towards more personalized care, which may involve additional assessment and communication skills. However, the potential benefits of this approach—including better patient outcomes and more efficient use of healthcare resources—make it a worthwhile investment.