CCLG
Follow up and Future Care

Why come to clinic?

Cancer is treated in different ways and sometimes the treatments can cause long-term problems. Cancer treatment includes:

  • Chemotherapy – anti-cancer drugs
  • Radiotherapy – radiation treatment
  • Surgery

Sometimes only one of these treatments is used and sometimes two or even all three types of treatment are used in combination. Each of these treatments, apart from treating the cancer, can also have an effect on normal cells/tissues that may only become apparent many years after finishing treatment. These long-term problems caused by treatment are called “late effects” as they occur after all the curative treatment has finished. Research on late effects may help with planning new treatment regimes to try and limit the problems for future patients.

When you were treated most information will have been given to your parents. Now as an adult the information is given to you and coming to clinic gives you the chance to ask questions. Many people will look on these visits as reassuring, a way of checking that everything is all right and if there are any problems they will be found early and treated.

Will I always have to come?

That depends on the treatment you had. It is sometimes difficult to know who is likely to get late effects.

Will cancer come back?

Everyone is at risk of developing cancer and this risk increases with age. Survivors and their parents naturally worry that cancer may come back again. A small number of people who are cured of cancer when young develop another cancer later on. There are two main reasons for this:

  1. Some cancer treatments can themselves increase the risk of other cancers.
  2. Although rare, some families have a higher risk than others because family members share some inherited risk factor.

You can help yourself by not doing things that we know are linked with cancer. This includes smoking and sunbathing.

If I feel ill what shall I do?

You should go and see your GP. They will decide if you need referral to the hospital. If you are very worried you could call the hospital contact number on your treatment summary card, but usually it is better to go through your GP. There is a very useful website with general information called www.cancerbacup.org.uk. They also have a helpline for information.

Will I have to take medicines for ever?

Some survivors may have to take medication for life. This is usually because you are not producing enough hormones naturally, for example if your thyroid is underactive or if you are not producing enough sex hormones. If you are at risk of any hormone imbalance this will be checked with a blood test at your clinic visit.

When can I put it all behind me? I don’t want to think about cancer anymore

This is understandable but unfortunately you cannot ignore your past medical history. The doctors will only continue to see you if you need regular check ups and there are tests that are occasionally necessary. Please discuss any anxieties you have about coming to the clinic rather than just not turning up. Cancer is part of you but it’s not who you are.

Can/should I bring my parents or partner to clinic?

Yes, if you feel more comfortable coming with someone, you can bring your parent, partner or close friend to clinic. However it’s your health and well-being that’s most important to us so you may prefer to come on your own.

 
“I am now 16 years old and for the last 4 years I’ve spent a lot of my time studying hard at school and just having fun. Despite some setbacks along the way I am slowly but surely determined to try and live my life as normal as possible."
Daniel De-Gale
Daniel De-Gale with his mother
Daniel De-Gale with his mother