Living with and beyond cancer

Once your treatment has been completed, you will commence a period of follow-up appointments. You will continue to be assessed on a regular basis, either by your surgical team and or with your medical team.

 

If you had surgery alone

 

You will have a follow-up every four months for three years. You will also be asked to have a cervical smear at six and 18 months post-surgery and annually depending on the type of surgery.

 

If you had radiotherapy and chemotherapy

 

You will continue to be monitored for the next five years. You will initially receive an appointment four weeks after treatment has concluded to check on the side effects. Three months after treatment has finished you will have an MRI and CT scan. Appointments will continue throughout the five year period to check on you. During this period your clinical nurse specialist will continue to be your main point of contact and will arrange for you to be seen earlier if required.

 

I am worried my cancer has come back?

 

If you have any symptoms or concerns contact your clinical nurse specialist. This can also include if you have ongoing problems as a result of your treatment.

The following are symptoms that will require investigation:

 

·         Bleeding from your vagina

·         Bleeding from your bowel

·         Bleeding and pain after sexual intercourse

·         Bowel discharge i.e. diarrhoea or constipation

·         Problems with passing water

·         Vaginal discharge

·         Weight loss without diet or exercise

·         Feeling generally unwell and/or aches and pains

·         Swelling of the legs

 

These symptoms may be completely unrelated to your cancer, but they could be a sign that it has returned.

 

What will happen following my phone call?

 

One of the following may be suggested:

·         A clinic appointment for assessment

·         A GP visit

·         Reassurance that nothing further is required