Follow-Up Care after Cancer Treatment Part 1
The word ‘Cancer’ practically scares anyone. Be that as it may, what does it truly mean? Cancer is a term utilized for illnesses that occur due to uncontrolled growth and development of abnormal cells that continue to spread to adjoining tissues. As indicated by WHO, there are in excess of 120 different types of cancers among which breast and lung cancer are the most prevalent.
A right diagnosis is the initial step of the management. Each sort of cancer has its own treatment plan based on the stage at the time of diagnosis. In general, the treatment comprises radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery. In addition to clinical treatment, the patient ought to seek physical, psychosocial, spiritual and palliative care to keep an upbeat perspective towards life.
The Importance of Follow-Up Care
Care for people doesn’t end with dynamic cancer treatment. All cancer survivors ought to have follow-up care. This follow-up care is primarily aimed to recognize any disease recurrence, if any, early and address it appropriately.
Oncologists encourage the patients to adhere to a personalized regular follow up cancer care plan. This plan may incorporate ideas to help address different issues, like psychological, social, or monetary issues. These check-ups may incorporate actual assessment alongside blood tests, other essential investigations and procedures which search for changes in your health, or any issues that may happen because of your cancer or its treatment.
These visits are likewise a chance to check for physical and psychological issues that may happen months or years after treatment ends.
This follow-up cancer care, you may see a similar specialist who treated you for cancer, or you
may see another medical services supplier from your territory for your convenience, such as one who has practical experience in follow-up care for cancer survivors.
Follow-up care for childhood cancer survivors is basically the same as that for grown-ups. While a large portion of the data underneath is similarly significant for kids.
Getting a Follow-Up Care plan
Every patient has a different follow up care schedule. How frequently you return for follow-up visits depends on:
- The kind of cancer you had
- The treatment you got
- Your general wellbeing, including conceivable treatment-related issues
By and large, individuals re-visit the specialist for follow-up consultations once in 3 to 4 months, with first follow-up around 6-8 weeks during the initial 2 to 3 years after treatment, and 1-2times per year after that. At these visits, you may have a clinical examination alongside blood tests and other important tests and procedures. Which tests you are advised and how frequently you are advised will depend on what your doctor believes is best for you while formulating your follow-up care plan.
Common Questions After Treatment Ends
At the point when you accept your follow up care plan from your doctor, answers to the inquiries beneath are ought to be given. Make a point to pose any other inquiries you may have:
- What amount of time will it require for me to improve and feel more like myself?
- What signs and symptoms would it be advisable for me to keep an eye out for?
- What tests do I require after treatment is finished?
- How frequently will I have them?
- What are the long-term health problems I may expect because of my cancer therapy?
- What is the likelihood of my cancer to return?
- What records do I have to keep about my treatment?
- How to be healthy and take care of myself?
- Can you recommend a support group that could help me?
Talk about any queries you have regarding your follow-up care plan.
In the next blog coming up this Thursday, you can read all about the rules of healthy lifestyle, follow up visits with doctors and treatment summary. Until then, follow us on Instagram and DM for any queries relating to the follow up care.