AFTER CANCER: ARE THERE ANY OPTIONS IN REGARD TO MY FOLLOW-UP?
Yes. Your doctor will advise a certain schedule of follow-up. If you have special needs, let your doctor know so that these needs can be factored in when planning your follow-up. Rest assured that your doctor is going to make your health, not your preferences or special needs, the overriding concern when arranging the details of your follow-up. Special needs that might affect timing of follow-up include
• travel restrictions (if you come in from out of town, some dates may be more expensive or less convenient than others)
• financial constraints (sometimes there is an option about how often certain tests are obtained or which tests are done)
• family/work responsibilities
Some patients prefer to have all their tests done prior to the follow-up visit, so that all the results can be discussed at the visit.
Where you are followed up can be influenced by travel restrictions or financial constraints. If your oncologist is in another city or town, you can sometimes arrange to have blood tests or scans performed locally, and the results or scans mailed to your oncologist. When very specialized blood tests are required that are not available locally, blood can sometimes be drawn locally and mailed to the lab used by your oncologist.
Follow-up visits help you stay well and confirm that you are doing well. Follow-ups do not cause cancer or other medical problems. Learn to use your follow-ups in a positive way.
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