WHAT DOES "FOLLOW-UP" MEAN?
The need for health care related to your cancer will not end when your course of radiation therapy is over. No matter what type of cancer you've had, you will need regular check-ups and perhaps lab tests and X-rays. The Radiation Oncologist will want to see you at least once more after your treatments. The doctor who referred you may also schedule follow-up visits as needed.
Follow-up care, in addition to checking on the results of your radiation therapy, might include further cancer treatment, rehabilitation, and counseling. Taking good care of yourself is also a part of follow-up after radiation treatments.
WHO PROVIDES CARE AFTER THERAPY?
Some patients return to the Radiation Oncologist for follow-up visits. Others are referred back to their original doctor, to a surgeon, or to a doctor who is trained to give chemotherapy (treatment with anti-cancer drugs). The next steps in follow-up care depend on the type and stage of your disease and on other treatments that you had or expect to have. When the radiation has been the principle means of treating cancer, the Radiation Oncologist is usually the primary physician to see for follow-up.
The Lexington Medical Center Tumor Registry also follows all patients
treated in this facility.
WHAT OTHER CARE MIGHT BE NEEDED?
Individual needs vary, and your Radiation Oncologist will prescribe and schedule the types of follow-up care that best suit your case. Don't hesitate to ask about the tests or treatments that your Radiation Oncologist recommends. Try to learn all the things you should do to care for yourself as best you can.
HOW CAN I HELP MYSELF AFTER RADIATION THERAPY?
Patients who have had radiation therapy need to continue, at least for a short while, some of the special care used during treatments. For instance, you could have skin changes for several weeks after your treatments end. You should continue to be gentle with skin in the treatment area until all signs of irritation are gone. Don't try to scrub the inked lines that mark your treatment area, they will fade and wear away soon. On completion of your radiotherapy treatments, your Radiation Oncologist will instruct you to apply a good moisturizing lotion to the treated area daily.
You may find that you still need extra rest while your healthy tissues are rebuilding. Keep taking naps as needed and try to get more sleep at night. You'll need some time to test your strength, little by little, so don't plan to resume a full schedule of activities right away.
After treatment of cancer, you're likely to be more aware of your body and to notice even slight changes in how you feel from day to day. The Radiation Oncologist will want you to report any unusual symptoms. If you have any problems listed below, tell your Radiation Oncologist at once:
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A pain that persists, especially if it's always in the same place
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Lumps, bumps or swelling
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Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite
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Unexplained weight loss
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A fever or cough that persists
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Any other signs mentioned by your Radiation Oncologist
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