Cancer is treated in different ways and sometimes the treatments can cause long-term problems. You may not remember having cancer as a child so it is important that you are fully informed about the treatment you had for your future health.
Why come to follow-up clinic?
Cancer treatment includes:
- chemotherapy - anti-cancer drugs
- radiotherapy - radiation treatment
- surgery
- biological therapies such as immunotherapy
- stem cell or bone marrow transplant
Sometimes, only one of these treatments is used and sometimes two or more types of treatment are used in combination. Each of these treatments, in addition to treating the cancer, can also affect normal cells/tissues and this may only become apparent many years after finishing treatment. Attending your regular follow-up clinic appointments is important to make sure that these late effects can be addressed.
Depending on your age when you were treated, most information will have been given to your parents or carers. Now, as a young adult, the information should be given to you and coming to clinic gives you the chance to ask questions.
Will I always have to come?
This is an individual decision between you and your follow-up team. It will depend on both the treatment you had and other factors such as your general health and social circumstances.
However, with information, education and access back to your long term follow-up team if required, it is hoped that eventually you will no longer need to attend regular hospital follow up but instead manage your own health needs with the support of your GP.
Can I bring my parents or partner to clinic?
Yes, if you feel more comfortable coming with someone, you can bring your parent(s), partner or close friend to clinic. Or you may prefer to come on your own; the choice is yours.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about follow-up and future care.
Everyone is at risk of developing cancer and this risk increases with age. Survivors and their families naturally worry that cancer may come back again but most people in long term follow-up are considered cured. A small number of people who are cured of cancer when young develop another cancer later on. There are two main reasons for this:
- Some cancer treatments can themselves increase the risk of other cancers
- Although rare, some families have a higher risk than others because family members share an inherited risk factor
You can help reduce your chances of cancer recurring by eating a healthy diet, taking regular exercise and not doing things that we know are linked with cancer, such as smoking and sunbathing.
You should go and see your GP or out-of-hours healthcare service. They will decide if you need referral to the hospital. If you are very worried you could call the hospital’s contact number on your treatment summary card, but usually it is better to go through your GP or similar local service.
It’s understandable to feel this way; however, you cannot change the fact that you had cancer and it’s important to attend follow-up care. The healthcare team will only continue to see you if you need regular check-ups and if there are tests that are occasionally necessary. Please discuss any anxieties or difficulties you have about coming to the clinic rather than just not turning up.
Your diagnosis of cancer will always be part of you, but it’s not the whole you. You may find your experience of having cancer has given you new strengths or views on life. You need to think about how you want to move forward in life.
Patients who are receiving medication for the late effects of cancer can apply for a medical exemption certificate in order to receive free prescriptions. To find out more visit the NHS website.