Read article Follow up for mesothelioma
This page is about how you will be followed up after your mesothelioma treatment. There is information about
Check ups
After your treatment has finished, your doctor will want you to have regular check ups. Your doctor will examine you, ask how you are feeling, and make sure you do not have any new symptoms. You may have blood tests, X-rays or CT scans.
At first your check ups will be every 2 months or so. If all is well, your appointments will gradually become less frequent. After surgery, it is usual to see the surgeon after about 4 to 6 weeks, and then 3 monthly if all is well. If you are worried or notice any new symptoms between appointments, let your doctor know as soon as possible. You do not have to wait until your next appointment.
Many people find their check ups quite worrying. If you are feeling well and getting on with life, a hospital appointment can bring back all the worry about your cancer. You may find it helpful to tell someone close to you how you are feeling.
It is quite common nowadays for people to have counselling after cancer treatment. To find out more about counselling, look in the ‘coping with cancer’ section of CancerHelp UK.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the Treating mesothelioma section.
After your treatment has finished, your doctor will want you to have regular check ups. These may include
You will not have all these tests every time you go to the hospital. But your doctor will probably examine you at each appointment and you may have a routine X-ray. Your doctor will ask how you are feeling and ask if you have any new symptoms. Your doctor may only offer scans if there is a symptom that you or they are concerned about.
Your specialist will want to continue to keep a regular eye on you. After surgery, it is usual to see the surgeon after about 4 to 6 weeks and then 3 monthly if all is well. After chemotherapy or radiotherapy your check ups will be every 2 months or so at first. You may see your doctor or a specialist nurse. If all is well your outpatient appointments will gradually become less often.
If you are worried or notice any new symptoms between appointments let your doctor or specialist nurse know straight away. You don't have to wait until the next appointment. Your doctor or nurse would rather know if something is worrying you.
Many people find their check ups quite worrying. If you are feeling well and getting on with your life, a hospital appointment can bring back all the worry about having cancer. You may find it helpful to tell someone close to you how you are feeling. If you are able to share your worries, they may not seem quite so bad.
You may prefer to talk to someone outside your circle of family and friends. You could try talking to someone at your local church or place of worship. Or someone at a cancer support group who may have been through similar experiences. It is quite common nowadays for people to have counselling after cancer treatment. To find out more about counselling, look in the CancerHelp UK coping with cancer section.
You can look at our list of mesothelioma organisations for people who can help to put you in touch with a support group. Our mesothelioma reading list also has details of books and leaflets about coping with mesothelioma.
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