(P 207) LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP AND LATE EFECTS MONITORING FOR UK BONE SARCOMA PATIENTS: A SERVICE MAPPING EXCERCISE

Objective: Treatment for bone sarcoma involves highly-toxic chemotherapy, intensive radiotherapy and, for many, life-altering surgery. Support to manage the lasting physical and psychological impacts of treatment is vital, yet the Bone Cancer Research Trust’s community have voiced limited awareness and varying access to services and support.
This service mapping exercise therefore seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the long-term follow-up and late effects services available to UK bone sarcoma patients, and to identify any potential gaps in service provision.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey study is open to professionals working in cancer long-term follow-up services in the UK healthcare setting. A single online survey will gather key information relating to service access & eligibility and the frequency, duration and extent of follow-up & monitoring.
Extensive survey development was undertaken in close consultation with the project’s Working Group of healthcare professionals & people affected by bone sarcoma.
The survey opened in June 2025 and has been shared via BCRT’s and the Working Group’s UK-wide network of healthcare professionals. It will continue to gather responses until representation across all four nations is achieved.

Results: Full results are anticipated in late 2025 and will be used to develop a visual map and service directory which will, for the first time, provide a detailed overview of the services and support available to UK bone sarcoma survivors.

Conclusion: This vital research will take the first step towards understanding the provision of long-term follow-up care for UK bone sarcoma patients facing life-long challenges as a result of their treatment. Future steps will involve a UK-wide consultation with the bone sarcoma community, to understand how the needs of patients & families align with the services available to them.