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What does "follow-up" mean?
No matter what type of cancer you have had, you will still
need regular doctor visits to check your progress after your radiation
therapy ends. You may also need help to deal with any problems that may
come up. This phase of your treatment is called follow-up care. Your
follow-up care will include checking the results of your treatment, but
it may also involve more cancer treatment, rehabilitation, and
counseling. It may include appointments with your original doctor,
surgeon, medical
oncologist (a doctor specially trained to treat patients
with chemotherapy), and your radiation oncologist. Your follow-up care
will depend on what type of cancer you have and other treatments you
have had or will have.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor after radiation
therapy:
- When can I go back to normal activities?
- How often will I need to see you?
- Which tests will be done and why?
- What symptoms or side effects should I continue to look for
and let you know about?
- When can I wear a prosthesis
or have reconstructive surgery?
- Do I need to continue changes in my diet?
- When can I resume sexual activity or try to have a baby?
Care after radiation therapy
For a short time following your therapy, you will need to
continue some of the special care used during your treatment. For
instance, if you have skin problems after your treatment ends, be
gentle with skin in the treatment area until all signs of irritation
are gone. You may need extra rest while your healthy tissues are
rebuilding. You may need to limit your activities to conserve your
energy and not try to go back to your regular schedule right away.
Pain after therapy
A few patients need help managing pain that continues after
radiation therapy. Unless directed by your doctor, do not use a heating
pad or warm compress to relieve pain in any area treated with
radiation. Talk to your doctor or nurse and describe the location and
type of pain in as much detail as possible. Keep working with your
cancer team until you are able to get this under control.
You can get more information in our booklet, Pain Control: A Guide for Those
with Cancer and Their Loved Ones.
When should I call the doctor?
After treatment, you are likely to be more aware of your body
and any slight changes in how you feel from day to day. If you have any
of the problems listed below, tell your doctor at once:
- pain that does not go away, especially if it is always in
the same place
- lumps, bumps, or swelling
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or trouble
swallowing
- unexplained weight loss
- fever or cough that doesn't go away
- unusual rashes, bruises, or bleeding
- any other signs mentioned by your doctor or nurse
Do not hesitate to let your doctor know about any new problems
or concerns you have. It is always best to find out the cause of a
problem so it can be dealt with right away.
What about going back to work?
If you have stopped working, you can return to your job as
soon as you and your doctor believe you are up to it. Some people are
even able to work during their radiation therapy. If your job requires
lifting or heavy physical activity, you may need to change your routine
until you have regained your strength.
When you are ready to return to work, learn about your rights
regarding your job and health insurance. If you have any questions
about employment issues, contact us for help.
What records do I need to keep?
You will want to get copies of your treatment records to keep.
It is important that you be able to give any new doctor you might see
in the future the exact details of your diagnosis and treatment. Make
sure you have the following information handy:
- a copy of your pathology report from any biopsy or surgery
- if you had surgery, a copy of your operative report
- if you had radiation therapy, a copy of your treatment
summary
- if you were hospitalized, a copy of the discharge summary
that every doctor must prepare when patients are sent home from the
hospital
- finally, since some drugs can have long-term side effects,
a list of your drugs, drug doses, and when you took them
Any time you see a new doctor, be sure that you make copies of
these records and keep your originals for yourself. After a certain
period of time, the doctors' offices and hospitals destroy this kind of
information.
Last Medical Review: 12/23/2008
Last Revised: 12/23/2008
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