Follow-up Care

After completing initial treatment, most patients continue to see their oncologist and treatment team at regular intervals for a year or more.  Your medical oncologist, or your surgeon, will generally examine you and order any necessary tests.  During that time, you should communicate any physical symptoms and/or emotional issues to your treatment team.

At some point, many oncologists recommend that follow-up care be continued by your primary care physician or by a survivor's clinic specialist.  Leaving the doctors and treatment team that provided your cancer care, and who know your individual case, can be difficult.  This is a good time to be sure you have all your records, including a survivorship plan, that you can share with those who take over your care.  If you are being treated in a major medical center, consider finding a primary care physician associated with that facility.  That physician will have access to your complete medical record and can quickly become familiar with your treatment.

Next: Fear of Recurrence.