Follow up and future care
Cancer is treated in different ways and sometimes the treatments can cause long-term problems.
Education and jobs
All young adults are entitled to continue into higher education after leaving school, regardless of previous ill health, provided you can satisfy the qualification standards.
Equal opportunities
Everyone in the UK has rights to protect against discrimination. You have rights to protect you from discrimination. These rights covers areas including employment, education and dealing with police.
Life insurance and mortgages
Cancer survivors are sometimes refused insurance cover, or are only offered cover under special conditions. This may involve paying a higher premium. The type of treatment you had and how long ago it was may affect the decisions.
Travel and vaccinations
While travelling is fine for most people who have had childhood cancer, there may be some issues to think about beforehand.
Fertility and sexual function
Most survivors of childhood cancer can expect to have a normal sex life. Cancer treatment can affect fertility but this will depend on the type of treatment you had.
Lifestyle and keeping healthy
By being aware of potential health risks, you have the chance to possibly reduce their impact by changing your lifestyle such as ensuring you eat healthily, take regular exercise and reduce stress levels.
Feelings and emotions
New feelings can emerge after treatment has finished as you come to terms with your experience. The emotional shock of having cancer can stay with you for a long time.
Information in this section is from our Living Beyond Cancer booklet and Late Effects factsheets. Reviewed by the CCLG Late Effects Group, a national network of experts who specialise in looking after young cancer survivors, in conjunction with the CCLG Information Advisory Group comprising survivors, parents and multiprofessional experts in the field of childhood cancer.
Reviewed: September 2022
Next review due: September 2025