Questions to Ask Your Doctor About After-Treatment Planning

 

Here are some suggested questions to ask regarding your follow-up care:


  • What will my follow-up schedule be for physical examinations, laboratory tests, and scans?
  • What are the chances of my cancer coming back or of my developing a new cancer?
  • How long will I be on my maintenance therapy? For the rest of my life? Which doctor will provide my follow-up care and which ones will provide other medical care?
  • How can I manage any long-term side effects?
  • What wellness habits should I develop?
  • (For smokers) Can you suggest a smoking cessation program?
  • Do I have any special nutritional needs now that my treatment has ended?
  • My partner does not understand why I'm not as interested in sex ever since my treatment for cancer. What can I do to feel sexual again, and how can I help my partner understand this issue?
  • Do I need to take special care in connection with exercising? Are there any special exercises you can recommend to increase my flexibility, relieve muscle tension? Should I see a specialist such as a physical therapist?
  • Is it normal to feel depressed and anxious some of the time? Should I see a mental health professional such as a psychologist? Can you refer me to one?
  • (If your insurance company is denying some or all of your coverage for follow-up care): Where can I get help with my health insurance coverage for my follow-up care? Are there any assistance plans available to me?
  • How can I find out about joining a support group?
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November 20, 2009 — Researchers affiliated with the Health Professional Follow-Up Study and the Nurses’ Health Study have reported that folic acid supplementation in patients with recurrent colorectal adenoma was not protective or harmful in most patients. However, patients who were folate deficient had a significant 39% decrease in adenoma recurrence. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication on October 28, 2009 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Select news items provided by Reuters Health