How often should I see a doctor after cancer treatment?
If you feel uncomfortable or would like to be examined or talk to your doctor you can make an appointment at any duration and see your oncologist more often After my treatment, it was every 3 months for the first 2 years, then every 6 months until I reach 5 …
What to expect at your first visit with an oncologist after cancer?
· I think it all depends on your individual cancer and the chemo or hormonal meds you are on. When I was on monthly doses of Zometa and Zoladex shot, I would see my nurse (RN assigned to me)monthly. Then would see the oncologist every 3 months when I would get a tumor markers test.
What does an oncologist look for during an initial consultation?
· Currently on chemo and immunotherapy cycle of every three weeks, so in the beginning (upon Dx earlier this year), it was every three weeks, with a mid-cycle visit with assigned oncology NP case manager. Now it alternates between oncology NP and oncologist before each infusion, and no need for mid-cycle appointments.
Should you ask your oncologist what your survival rate is?
Fortunately, there are effective ways of treating and even killing many forms of this disease. You will meet with an oncologist — a doctor focused on the study, diagnosis [...] 773 East Route 70 …
How often do you see your oncologist after breast cancer?
After you finish treatment for breast cancer, you'll see your oncologist and other members of your health care team on a regular basis, usually about every 6 months for the first few years. After that, you'll see them every year for many years.
When will oncologist stop treatment?
If you've undergone three or more chemotherapy treatments for your cancer and the tumors continue to grow or spread, it may be time for you to consider stopping chemotherapy.
Does seeing an oncologist mean I have cancer?
You will likely be referred to an oncologist if your doctor suspects that you have the disease. Your primary care physician may carry out tests to determine if you might have cancer. If there are any signs of cancer, your doctor may recommend visiting an oncologist as soon as possible.
How many rounds are in a cancer treatment?
During a course of treatment, you usually have around 4 to 8 cycles of treatment. A cycle is the time between one round of treatment until the start of the next. After each round of treatment you have a break, to allow your body to recover.
How do doctors know how long you have left to live?
There are numerous measures – such as medical tests, physical exams and the patient's history – that can also be used to produce a statistical likelihood of surviving a specific length of time. Yet even these calculations "are not any more accurate than the physicians' predictions of survival," she says.
How many years does chemo take off your life?
During the 3 decades, the proportion of survivors treated with chemotherapy alone increased from 18% in 1970-1979 to 54% in 1990-1999, and the life expectancy gap in this chemotherapy-alone group decreased from 11.0 years (95% UI, 9.0-13.1 years) to 6.0 years (95% UI, 4.5-7.6 years).
What happens on your first oncology visit?
At the first appointment, the oncologist will talk about treatment options. The doctor will explain which ones are available, how effective they are and what the side effects may be. Then the oncologist will recommend a course and talk about when the treatments should take place.
What happens at an oncology appointment?
The appointment helps your cancer doctor or nurse notice any possible problems early. They may examine you and do some simple tests, such as taking a blood sample. They will usually ask questions about your recovery and any side effects or symptoms you have. It is very important to go to your appointments.
What type of cancer do oncologist treat?
Hematologist-oncologists treat blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Neuro-oncologists treat cancers of the brain, spine, and nervous system. Pediatric oncologists treat cancer in children and teens.
Can cancer spread while on chemo?
While chemotherapy is one of the oldest and most successful ways of treating cancer, it doesn't always work. So, yes, cancer can spread during chemotherapy. Spreading could mean the tumor keeps growing, or that the original tumor shrinks, but cancer metastasizes, forming tumors in other areas of the body.
What is a 21 day chemo cycle?
If it's a 21-day cycle, you may come in for an infusion once every three weeks. On a 28-day cycle, on the other hand, you come in for treatment on day one and day eight, and then go two weeks with no therapy. That's two weeks with therapy and two weeks off.
How many times a week do you have chemotherapy?
You can have chemotherapy once a week or for several days, then rest for several days or weeks. The breaks give the drugs time to do their job. Rest also gives your body time to heal so you can handle side effects like nausea, hair loss, or fatigue. Each set of doses is called a cycle.
What is the role of an oncologist in a patient's care?
The oncologist is concerned about the patient’s welfare and wants the person to feel comfortable. The doctor will go over the patient’s concerns and answer any questions the patient may have about the impending treatment and procedures. The two will have a conversation about the patient’s goals and needs. They will also discuss any anxiety and fears the person may have. It may also be helpful for the oncologist to know the patient’s hobbies, interests, work and family.
What is the job of an oncologist?
The oncologist will work closely with nurses, radiologists, surgeons and other doctors. Ultimately, the oncologist wants to provide patients with the right resources and treatments to conquer the illness and enjoy a successful recovery. The oncologist will follow up regularly with the patient leading up to the surgeries and other procedures.
What is the first step in a patient's first consultation?
When a patient comes in for the first consultation, the oncologist will conduct a thorough examination. The oncologist will ask questions and review the patient’s health history. This will include an assessment of the scans and tests the person may have had beforehand. The oncologist can then formulate a treatment strategy that makes the most sense to the patient.
What is the best doctor for cancer?
You will meet with an oncologist — a doctor focused on the study, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The oncologist will help you overcome the effects of the condition and live a normal life. It is helpful to be ready for your initial meeting and what will occur in the coming weeks of your treatment.
What is the name of the cancer that starts in the colon?
This type of cancer is usually lumped together with rectal cancer and is called colorectal cancer.There are several different types…
Why does skin cancer develop?
This article provides answers to common questions that people often have about the disease.Like many cancers, skin cancer develops due to irrepressible multiplication of damaged cells. Skin cell damage is often caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV)….
What is the term for the treatment of cancer?
The term oncology refers to a branch in medicine that focuses primarily on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Cancer is a disease that leads to the development of abnormal cells that multiply uncontrollably and destroy healthy tissues. Cancers typically have the ability to spread to other parts of an inflicted person's body.It is…
How long after cancer treatment do side effects show?
Some side effects might not even show up until years after you have finished treatment. Visits with your doctor are a good time for you to ask questions and talk about any changes or problems you notice or concerns you have. However, if you have additional concerns about your cancer, you do not have to wait until your next scheduled visit.
How long does breast cancer treatment last?
Almost any cancer treatment can have side effects. Some might only last for a few days or weeks, but others might last a long time.
Why do you need a pelvic exam after breast cancer surgery?
Pelvic exams: If you are taking either of the hormone drugs tamoxifen or toremifene and still have your uterus, you should have pelvic exams every year because these drugs can increase your risk of uterine cancer.
Why aren't breast cancer tests included in follow up?
Other tests: Other tests such as blood tests and imaging tests (like bone scans and chest x-rays) are not a standard part of follow-up because they haven’t been shown to help a woman who's been treated for breast cancer live longer.
What factors affect follow up on breast cancer?
Your follow-up schedule can depend on many factors, including the type of breast cancer, how advanced it was when it was found, and how it was (or is being) treated.
What happens if cancer comes back?
If cancer does return, your treatment options will depend on where it comes back, what treatments you've had before, and your current health and preferences. For more information on how recurrent cancer is treated, see Treatment of Recurrent Breast Cancer .
What tests can be done to detect cancer?
If symptoms, exams, or tests suggest a possible recurrence of your cancer, imaging tests such as an x-ray, CT scan, PET scan, MRI scan, bone scan, and/or a biopsy may be done. If the cancer recurrence is confirmed, your doctor may also look for circulating tumor cells in the blood, or measure levels of blood tumor markers such as CA-15-3, CA 27-29, or CEA. The blood levels of tumor markers go up in some women if their cancer recurs or has spread to other parts of the body. If a tumor marker level is high, your doctor might use it to monitor the results of treatment. But tumor marker levels don’t go up in all women, so these tests aren't always helpful, and they aren't used to watch for cancer recurrence in women without any symptoms.
How often do you go to the doctor after cancer treatment?
Your overall health, including possible treatment-related problems. In general, people return to the doctor for follow-up appointments every 3 to 4 months during the first 2 to 3 years after treatment, and once or twice a year after that.
How to help a cancer patient after treatment?
Be an active partner. Many cancer survivors say that getting involved with their follow-up care was a good way for them to regain some of the control they felt they lost during cancer treatment. Being an active partner with your doctor and asking for help from other members of the health care team is the first step. Knowing what to expect after cancer treatment can help you and your family make plans, lifestyle changes, and important decisions about the future.
What are the programs that specialize in long term follow up care for cancer survivors?
Some cancer centers and hospitals have programs that specialize in long-term follow-up care for cancer survivors. Many NCI-Designated Cancer Centers and large community treatment centers offer some form of survivorship program or clinic for adults who have been treated for cancer.
What is a checkup for cancer?
These checkups may include bloodwork, as well as other tests and procedures that look for changes in your health, or any problems that may occur due to your cancer treatment. These visits are also a time to check for physical and emotional problems that may occur months or years after treatment ends.
What is a pathology report?
Pathology report (s) that describe the type and stage of cancer in detail. Places and dates of each treatment, such as the details of all surgeries; the sites and total amounts of radiation therapy; and the names and doses of chemotherapy and all other drugs. Key lab reports, x-ray reports, CT scans, and MRI reports.
Why was the Focus study created?
The FOCUS study was created to better understand the many aspects and quality of follow-up care, to document the prevalence of late and long-term effects of cancer and its treatment, to understand survivors’ knowledge of late and long-term effects, and to study health-related quality of life and behaviors in long-term survivors.
How to stay active after cancer?
Exercise and stay active . Research suggests that staying active after cancer may help lower the risk of recurrence and lead to longer survival. In addition, moderate exercise (walking, biking, swimming) for about 30 minutes every—or almost every—day can:
Why is follow up care important for breast cancer?
One goal of follow-up care is to check for a recurrence, which means that the cancer has come back. Treatment for early stage or locally advanced breast cancer is given to eradicate as many cancer cells in the body as possible. However, cancer recurs because small areas of cancer cells that don't respond to treatment may remain undetected in ...
Why is follow up care important?
Doctors want to keep track of your recovery in the months and years ahead. Follow-up care is also important for screening for other types of cancer. In some instances, patients may be able to visit a survivorship clinic that specializes in the post-treatment needs of people diagnosed with breast cancer.
How do you know if you have breast cancer?
Breast cancer can come back in the breast or other areas of the body. Generally, a recurrence is found when a person has symptoms or an abnormal finding during a physical examination. Annual mammograms are also recommended after a diagnosis of breast cancer. The symptoms depend on where the cancer has recurred and may include: 1 A lump under the arm or along the chest wall 2 Pain that is constant, worsening, and not relieved by over-the-counter medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) 3 Bone, back, neck, or joint pain, fractures, or swelling, which are possible signs of bone metastases 4 Headaches, seizures, dizziness, confusion, personality changes, loss of balance, nausea, vomiting, or changes in vision, which are possible signs of brain metastases 5 Chronic coughing, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing, which are possible symptoms of lung metastases 6 Abdominal pain, itchy skin or rash, or yellow skin and eyes from a condition called jaundice, which may be associated with liver metastases 7 Changes in energy levels, such as feeling ill or extremely tired 8 Having a low appetite and/or weight loss 9 Nausea or vomiting 10 Rash or skin changes on the breast or chest wall 11 Changes in the shape or size of the breast, or swelling in the breast or arm
What is a recurrence of breast cancer?
Generally, a recurrence is found when a person has symptoms or an abnormal finding during a physical examination. Annual mammograms are also recommended after a diagnosis of breast cancer. The symptoms depend on where the cancer has recurred and may include: A lump under the arm or along the chest wall.
How long does it take for a person to feel a swollen chest after radiation?
This is a life-long risk for survivors. Long-term effects of radiation therapy. Some survivors experience breathlessness, a dry cough, and/or chest pain 2 to 3 months after finishing radiation therapy. That is because radiation therapy can cause swelling and a hardening or thickening of the lungs called fibrosis.
Can cancer come back after treatment?
Over time, these cells may increase in number until they show up on test results or cause signs or symptoms. Many survivors feel worried or anxious that the cancer will come back after treatment. While it often does not, it’s important to talk with your doctor about the possibility of the cancer returning.
Does cancer end when it is treated?
Care for people diagnosed with cancer does not end when active treatment has finished. Your health care team will continue to check that the cancer has not come back, manage any side effects, and monitor your overall health. This is called follow-up care. Your follow-up care may include regular physical examinations, medical tests, or both.
What happens after an oncologist's initial consultation?
After the initial consultation, the oncologist will develop a plan for the patient. That can include scheduling the right type of therapy. The treatment will usually begin that same week. In some cases, it could happen on the same day as the consultation.
What to expect at first visit with oncologist?
What to Expect at Your First Visit With an Oncologist After Cancer Diagnosis. A diagnosis of cancer can seem overwhelming. However, by preparing for your visit to your oncologist, you can make the process easier. You can expect to have a consultation which will include a physical exam. Keep reading to learn more about the process.
What does an oncologist look for in a cancer patient?
Many times, the patient will also have a physical exam. The oncologist will look at the cancer ous area. The extent of the exam will depend on the type of cancer. This will help to give the doctor a better idea of the disease.
How is a cancer patient matched to an oncologist?
Patients will be matched to an oncologist based on the type of cancer. The patient will be introduced to the team over the phone. The patient’s medical history will be gathered and compiled into a single file. This file will include information about previous tests or scans that the patient had. The care team will collect this information for the patient.
Why do patients tell their story to the oncologist?
That way, the doctor can confirm the information that was collected by the patient coordinator. Any gaps will be filled in during this time. Another reason for this is that it helps the oncologist get to know the patient.
Why do oncologists fill gaps?
Any gaps will be filled in during this time. Another reason for this is that it helps the oncologist get to know the patient. The doctor will then learn more about the patient’s goals, concerns and hopes. This will help the doctor to create a better treatment plan for the patient.
What is skin cancer?
In oncology, skin cancer is known as one of the most common types of cancer in the U.S. This article provides answers to common questions that people often have about the disease.Like many cancers, skin cancer develops due to irrepressible multiplication of damaged cells. Skin cell damage is often caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV)…
What to say when meeting an oncologist?
Just greeting your doctor and starting with an “I” statement like, ‘I’m happy to meet you and I hope we can work together,’ humanizes the conversation and starts building a relationship and partnership, says Schapira, who is also editor in chief of ASCO’s online patient information site.
What to consider before cancer treatment?
During the often-narrow window of opportunity before cancer treatment begins, you should have a chance to consider fertility preservation options . Embryo or sperm banking, for example, or shielding pelvic and genital regions during radiation therapy, are among techniques for the reproductive specialist to address.
What is the next step in cancer diagnosis?
Once your diagnosis is clear, the next step is learning about the state of your cancer. “The jargon terms for us are the ‘stage’ and ‘grade’ of the cancer,” Nelson says. Depending on how your cancer is classified, the discussion moves to how that impacts your treatment options.
What tests are done to check for prostate cancer?
With active surveillance, men may undergo periodic blood tests to measure prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, along with other tests such as digital rectal exams, imaging scans or prostate biopsies to make sure cancer is staying well under control.
What are the treatment options for cancer?
Cancer treatment choices may include surgery, traditional chemotherapy, targeted medications, radiation or immunotherapy as standalone or combination treatments. Clinical pathways and physician guidelines include treatment recommendations for most types of cancer based on disease stage and other factors.
Can cancer cause nausea?
That includes common side effects that you can likely expect as well as rare but more serious complications, Nelson says. Cancer side effects may be temporary or short-term, like nausea and vomiting with chemotherapy, or linger indefinitely, like chemo fog or "chemo brain," which refers to thinking or memory problems during or after treatment. Extensive surgery to remove cancerous growths may affect your appearance or certain body functions.
Do cancer centers offer robotic surgery?
Surgeons may take different approaches – for instance, some cancer centers offer robotic surgeries, while others do not . “In some cases it’s possible to do less surgery and accomplish the same thing, thus preserving organ function or (allowing) the ability to preserve or improve body image,” Schapira says. “It depends very much on what kind of surgery you’re talking about, but there are many questions that need to be asked.”