Tips for Managing after Cancer Treatment

• The cancer survivor or a designated family member should keep accurate, up-to-date records of all the medical care the patient has received for cancer and other conditions. Future health care decisions may depend on the types of treatment the patient has received in the past. These records are especially important if the patient moves, changes doctors or changes jobs.
• Cancer survivors should try to continue the activities they enjoy, even if initially these activities require some extra effort. Staying active is important for physical as well as emotional health.
• Cancer survivors should consider themselves partners with their doctors and other health professionals during follow-up care. It is especially important that survivors ask questions and provide information to their caregivers.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) offers comprehensive information on post cancer treatment: Facing Forward Series: Life after Cancer Treatment.

Questions to Ask Health Professionals

The doctor, oncology nurse and other health professionals need information to carry out follow-up care after cancer treatment. Accurate and timely information is essential to high-quality patient care, and survivors should always feel free to ask questions. It is helpful to make a list of questions as they occur and take it along to the next doctor's visit. Cancer survivors might want to ask some or all of the following questions:

• How often should I have a checkup?
• What are the long-term effects of treatment?
• How likely are they to occur?
• What kind of diet should I follow?
• What are the signs that cancer might be returning?
• What is the best way to talk to a health professional about my concerns? By phone? At a special appointment? At a regular visit scheduled in advance to run longer? Do you accept questions via email?
• Who else is available to talk with me about specific problems such as post-treatment effects and rehabilitation needs or sexual concerns?

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