Cancer survivors: What to expect with follow-up care
Cancer survivors: What to expect with follow-up careCancer survivors — What to expect from follow-up care after cancer treatment. Congratulations on finishing your cancer treatment and becoming a cancer survivor. Being declared cancer-free can be both joyful and frightening. You're happy that your cancer treatment was successful, but what do you do now? One important part of your life as a cancer survivor is follow-up care. Here's a guide to the steps you can take once your cancer treatment ends to help ensure you receive the care you'll need as a cancer survivor. Choose a doctor for your follow-up careChoosing a doctor you feel comfortable with for your follow-up care as a cancer survivor is important. You usually have options when it comes to whom you'll see. You might choose to see the same doctor who treated your cancer. Or you might feel more comfortable with your family (primary care) doctor, especially if you've seen the same doctor for many years. Many cancer survivors see both their cancer specialists and their family doctors after cancer treatment. The cancer specialist does checkups related to cancer, and the family doctor takes care of routine health matters. This team approach works well for many cancer survivors. If your health insurance plan only allows you to see your family doctor, get a schedule of recommended follow-up tests from your cancer specialist. Your cancer specialist can tell you what types of tests you'll need and when to have them, and then your family doctor can follow that plan. If any problems arise, your cancer specialist can be consulted. Develop a checkup schedule for your follow-up careWhen you go for your first post-treatment visit, ask your doctor to design a schedule of follow-up care appointments for you. Your follow-up care appointment schedule depends on the type of cancer you had, the treatments you received and any side effects you experienced. Your doctor might recommend checkups every three or four months for the first few years after your treatment, then once or twice a year after that. Be aware that your health insurance plan may limit the number of follow-up care visits. During follow-up care appointments, your doctor will usually review your medical history, evaluate your current symptoms and examine you. Your doctor is looking for signs that:
Depending on the type of cancer and treatment you've had, your doctor may also do other tests. These might include blood tests or imaging studies, such as X-rays and scans. In some instances, your doctor may order physical or occupational therapy to help enhance your recovery.
Source: National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2006-2007 Note: Individualized follow-up care is based on your current health, your age, medications you're taking and any other health conditions you might have. You might be reluctant to go back to your doctor for follow-up care for fear that your doctor will find more cancer. But checkups after treatment can also put your mind at ease, confirming that you're doing all you can to make sure your cancer doesn't recur. Develop a long-term wellness planAsk your doctor what you can do between checkups to stay healthy. A wellness plan might include getting regular exercise, decreasing stress, quitting smoking, or including more fruits and vegetables in your diet. These steps can help your body heal after treatment. A wellness plan should also include keeping your mind healthy. While it's common to fear that your cancer will come back or to feel unsure of yourself after treatment, talk to your doctor about a plan to lessen these feelings. A wellness plan for your mind might include joining a support group or a prayer group, or trying meditation or yoga. Understand what you should be watching forAfter your treatment, you might be worried that any small change in your body could be a sign of cancer recurrence. Even a cold, sore throat, or small aches and pains might worry you. It's natural to think that every sign and symptom is a sign of your cancer coming back. Talk to your doctor about what signs to watch for. And don't be afraid to report any unusual or persistent symptoms. Each time you visit your doctor, tell him or her about:
Keep copies of your medical recordsKeep copies of your medical records after you complete treatment. Obtain copies of your pathology and surgical reports. Write down what treatments you received and what side effects you experienced. Your records carry pertinent information about your cancer and your treatment that your next doctor — or any doctors you have in the future — will need to know. The records hold keys to what late side effects or complications of cancer treatment you'll likely face. And if your cancer does recur, your records will show which treatments you've received and what treatments could be considered in the future. Cancer Records Checklist (PDF file requiring Adobe Reader). RelatedLast Updated: 10/02/2007 © 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "Mayo Clinic Health Information," "Reliable information for a healthier life" and the triple-shield Mayo logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
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