Follow-up care after chemotherapy

It cannot tell you how often you should be seen, which tests you need or for how long follow-up should continue. These depend on your cancer and treatment and are set by your team.

It also cannot tell you how likely the cancer is to come back. That is a conversation for your oncologist.

Why more scans are not always better

People often feel reassured by regular scans. But for some cancers, studies have shown that routine scans in people without symptoms do not improve outcomes, while adding radiation, cost and anxiety, and sometimes finding harmless changes that lead to more tests. For other cancers, scans are an important part of follow-up. Ask your team why your plan includes or does not include scans.

Follow-up for late effects

Some treatments can affect the heart, lungs, bones, hormones, fertility or nerves years later. Follow-up may include specific checks, and your treatment summary should list what to watch for.

Shared care with your family doctor

Some follow-up may move to your family doctor or local physician. Make sure they have your treatment summary and know when to refer you back to the cancer team.

Anxiety around follow-up

Worry often rises before check-ups. Planning support, bringing a companion and asking how results will be shared can help.

Missing appointments

If you cannot attend, contact the team to rearrange rather than missing follow-up.

Screening for other cancers

Continue routine health checks and screening, such as cervical or breast screening, as advised.

Healthy habits

Not smoking, limiting alcohol, staying active and eating well support long-term health.

Questions to ask at follow-up

Useful questions include: how am I recovering compared with what you expect; are any side effects likely to be long-term; do I need any tests today or before my next visit; what symptoms should I watch for; and how can I look after my health.

Follow-up after different treatments

People who received medicines that can affect the heart may need heart checks. Those who had radiotherapy to the neck may need thyroid tests. Women with early menopause may need bone health checks. Children and young adults treated for cancer usually have long-term follow-up for growth, fertility and other late effects.

When hospital follow-up ends

For some cancers, routine hospital follow-up ends after a period, and care passes to your family doctor with a plan for when to refer back. This is usually a sign that the team feels this is safe. Ask what to do if concerns arise later.

Telephone and video follow-up

Some centres offer follow-up by phone or video, especially for people who live far away. Prepare in the same way as for an in-person visit, and ask how examinations or tests will be arranged.

Keeping your records

Keep follow-up letters, test results and your treatment summary together, and bring them to appointments with any doctor.

Moving or travelling

If you move or travel for long periods, ask your team how to continue follow-up elsewhere and take copies of your records.

Health beyond cancer

Follow-up focuses on cancer, but other health matters too. Keep up with blood pressure, diabetes and heart checks with your family doctor.

What to do next

Ask for a written follow-up plan, keep appointments, prepare questions and symptom notes, share your treatment summary with your family doctor, know whom to call between visits, and report worrying symptoms promptly.