Content Overview 
- Summary
- Do not be surprised at the emotions that may continue to surface. Share them. Contact another survivor with a similar experience. Consider a support group.
- Relationships with your spouse or partner, family and friends change over time. Ask for help when you need it.
- Reclaim every aspect of your life if you haven't already.
- Take care with underage children
- Comply with your drug regimen if you are given one. Learn how to save money when purchasing drugs, and how to store and dispose of them safely.
- Physical and mental effects may linger. New ones may show up. Avoid an impulse to engage in risky behavior. Report new symptoms or changes in existing symptoms to your doctor.
- There is no guarantee that your cancer won't come back. Help lower your risk of recurrence or developing a second cancer: Adopt a cancer prevention lifestyle.
- Show up for follow-up physical exams and tests.
- Get a disease specific medical Follow Up Plan. Go over it with your primary care physician. Tell every doctor or other medical person about your cancer history including diagnosis, treatments and dates.
- If you do not have health insurance, do whatever you can to get it. If you do have it, do whatever is necessary to keep it. Also learn how to maximize use of your policy. Keep other basic insurance as well.
- Do basic financial planning. It will help you, first, pay off debt. (Free negotiating help is available). Then set aside money for health and other emergencies, then money to go after your dream. If debt is overwhelming, consider bankruptcy.
- At work, negotiate if you need a change to allow you to do your work. Learn how to maximize time off and prepare for a recurrence or disability "just in case." Keep track of the facts in case of a discrimination claim.
- If you want to change jobs, or even careers, you can
- If you are unable to work or may be unable to work in the foreseeable future, there are guidelines to make life easier.
- If you want to have children, consider the options that are still open.
- If you don't have a pet, consider getting one.
Post Treatment 6 months +
Show up for follow-up physical exams and tests.
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End of treatment is generally followed by a series of regular follow-up visits to your doctor. A typical schedule includes physical examinations and blood tests approximately like the following:
- Every three or four months for the first one to three years
- Examinations every six months until the end of five years
- Then an exam once a year.
There will also likely be periodic imaging exams.
As with all doctor appointments, it is advisable to prepare for your appointments. For instance:
- Keep track of your symptoms, if any. (We provide a Symptoms Chart to make it easier).
- Keep track of questions as they arise so you don't forget them. (You can do that on our Prioritizer. Then, before you go to the appointment, you can reorder your questions to your priority with the click of a button.)
If you haven't already, learn how to maximize your time with your doctor. Survivorship A to Z provides guidelines as well as videos to help you learn how to communicate better.
It is also advisable to keep your own copy of your medical records for future reference.
To Learn More
More Information
Doctors: How To Work Effectively With Videos: Maximizing Time With Your Doctor Disease Specific Follow Up PlanRelated Articles
How To Switch Doctors How To Deal With Bumps In The Doctor/Patient RelationshipRelated Charts
Symptoms Diary Prioritizer
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