Follow-up after chemotherapy

Title

After your chemotherapy treatment has finished, your healthcare team will ask you to come back to the hospital for check-ups. This is so you continue to get the proper treatment and support.

We know that waiting for follow-up appointments can be difficult, which is why we are here to support you. You may find it helpful to give us a call on 0808 802 8000 before or after treatment, or speak with our 1:1 service.

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On this page:

Treatment summary >
Check-up appointments >
More information and support >

In this section:

Treatment summary

Once all your chemotherapy cycles are finished, you should be given a treatment summary. This is a document by your healthcare team that explains:

what treatments you have had
any side effects you might have
signs and symptoms to look out for
a plan that has been made for your long-term care and support.

This treatment summary should also be sent to your GP surgery, so they know how to support you too. You might want to check that the hospital have sent it to them.

Check-up appointments

You will also have check-ups with your healthcare team. You might see or speak to your consultant oncologist, clinical oncologist, or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).

How often you have check-ups will depend on the exact treatment you have had and your individual situation. You will usually have check-ups:

6 to 8 weeks after your treatment has finished
every 3 to 6 months for first 2 years
every 6 to 12 months for the next 3 years.

These check-ups will:

check how well treatment has worked
monitor any side effects
provide you with support.

These check-ups may be at the hospital, or by phone or video call. The COVID-19 pandemic means it is more likely you will be offered a phone or video call check-up, as your healthcare team will be following safety rules put in place by the hospital. However, if you or your healthcare team would prefer that you go into the hospital, they will arrange this for you.

You might have physical examinations during your check-ups. These may include:

a pelvic examination – where your healthcare professional feels your stomach and may put gloved fingers inside your vagina
a speculum or visual examination – where your healthcare professional uses a speculum (plastic tube) to gently open your vagina and look at your vagina or cervix, if you still have one.

You won’t usually have scans, such as an MRI, unless your healthcare team think you should have it. They might suggest it if you are having new symptoms. If you would feel more comfortable having a scan, it is important to ask for one.

If you are worried about anything or would like advice, you should be able to get in touch with your CNS or another member of your healthcare team.

More information and support about chemotherapy

Waiting for follow-up appointments may make you feel anxious, especially if you are dealing with new side effects of chemotherapy and other treatments. Your healthcare team, both at the hospital and at your GP surgery, are there to support you with any questions or worries you have.

Remember that we are here for you too, whether you are waiting for chemotherapy, in the middle of treatment, or years past it. Our trained volunteers can listen and help you understand what’s going on via our free Helpline on 0808 802 8000.

Check our Helpline opening hours >

Sometimes connecting with others who have gone through a similar experience can be helpful. Our online Forum lets our community give and get support. You can read through the messages or post your own – whichever feels most comfortable.

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If you have general questions about chemotherapy, our panel of medical experts may be able to help. They can’t give you answers about your individual situation or health – it’s best to speak with your GP or healthcare team for that.

Use our Ask the Expert service >

Thank you to all the experts who checked the accuracy of this information, and the volunteers who shared their personal experience to help us develop it.

References

British Gynaecological Cancer Society (2020). BGCS framework for care of patients with gynaecological cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Web: www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/2020-05-05-bgcs-covid-19-framework-v3.pdf. Accessed October 2020.
Li, M. et al (2019). Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients with intermediate-risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology & Reproductive Biology. 238. pp.1-6.
Falcetta, FS. et al (2016). Adjuvant platinum‐based chemotherapy for early stage cervical cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 11. pp.1-3.
Electronic Medicine Compendium. Cisplatin 1mg/ml Concentrate for Solution for Infusion. Patient Information Leaflet. Web: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6111.pdf

We write our information based on literature searches and expert review. For more information about the references we used, please contact [email protected]