ALL ABOUT FOLLOW UP CANCER CARE

Many people who undergo cancer surgery fail to give importance to follow up cancer care. This is largely the reason that doctors are unable to detect the recurrence of cancer at an early stage. Cancer centers in Philadelphia can provide complete information about follow up care and how you can go about it. Here are a few questions you might have about follow up cancer care:rnIs follow up cancer care really important? What happens if I don’t go for regular checkups?rnFollow up cancer care is an essential part of cancer treatment. You might want to ask your doctor at cancer center in Philadelphia about the details of follow up care and what it includes. Follow up care usually involves regular checkups. It entails reviewing your medical history and physical examination including blood work, endoscopy and image procedures. This helps in checking for recurrence or metastasis. Any of the cancer centers in Philadelphia will provide you with an individualized follow up care. The follow up care largely depends on your overall health, the type of cancer you had and the treatment. If follow up is not done properly, early detection and prevention of cancer cannot happen. rnWhat should I know after my cancer treatment is over?rnDuring and after the treatment, you must have complete information about your treatment and about the effects of this treatment. You must ask your doctor about the chances of cancer returning and whether there are any symptoms you should know about. This helps during follow up. You should also have proper knowledge about your health and how you can take better care of yourself after the cancer treatment. rnShould I keep my doctor informed about my health? rnYes, it is a good idea to keep your doctor informed regularly. If you experience any distress or pain or even some other physical problem that may be interfering with your daily life, talk to your doctor. It may turn out to be nothing, but it is better o be safe. You should contact your cancer center in Philadelphia immediately if you think any of the symptoms have returned. rnAm I supposed to keep all my medical records?rnIt is advisable that you preserve all the medical records as they may prove to be very useful later. Records about your cancer treatment must definitely be kept safe. You should also keep records of you diagnosis and the results of the diagnostic tests. You should also have detailed information about the cancer treatment you received and also of any side effects or complications that may have taken place during or after the treatment. It would be great if you can also get a comprehensive summary about your follow up care from the doctor. rnMost follow up cancer care centers will also provide you with detailed information about support groups and how to get in contact with them. Support groups are extremely helpful for enabling you to get back to your daily life with renewed zest. There are many support groups one can join such as couples counseling, occupational therapy, nutrition counseling and physical therapy.