Life After Treatment

Learn about what it means to live in remission, the importance of a survivorship care plan, and what you can expect as part of your follow-up care plan once you’ve completed treatment.

Living in Remission

Remission is when the signs and symptoms of cancer have decreased or disappeared, although cancer cells may still be in the body. Living in remission can be a source of both relief, happiness, and anxiety — relief that the tumour is gone, happiness that you can resume certain activities and anxiety that it may recur (come back). Additionally, you may become more attuned to the impact of cancer on you, your family, friends, and career, prompting a re-evaluation of different areas of your life. Coping with these emotions is unique to each person and will require time.

The fear of cancer returning is a common and sometimes intense experience among Individuals who have been impacted by cancer. Having to cope with the uncertainty of cancer returning (recurrence) can be very stressful— no one wants to think that they will have to fight cancer a second or third time. For some people, cancer takes away the control they once felt in their lives. In the no evidence of disease phase, one thing you can do to gain some of that control back is to focus on your wellness, which includes your mental, physical, nutritional, and spiritual health. It is very common for anyone who has had cancer to feel worried that the cancer may return. You may want to talk to your friends and family about these concerns or connect with other patients or survivors who have been in a similar situation. Ask your doctor, or nurse or CCC’s patient support team about getting in touch with a patient group or counsellor. Colorectal Cancer Canada has a variety of resources about survivorship, feel free to contact us so we can help you find the information according to your needs and concerns.

Tips to Help You During This Period

Ask Your Doctor About a Survivorship Care Plan

Returning to a semblance of “normal” post-treatment can be disorienting. Less frequent visits and support from your care team may lead to feelings of loneliness and apprehension.
A survivorship care plan summarizes the treatments you have already received and can help you keep track of all your current and future treatments, as well as your follow-up tests and exams. It can also help you to monitor late or long-term side effects related to your treatment. The plan will not only include ongoing monitoring but should also address lifestyle and emotional needs.

Download CCC’s Survivorship Care Plan  (Coming Soon)

Follow-up Care When Treatment Has Ended

Once you have finished treatment, you will have regular follow-up tests with your doctor to closely monitor your health for a few years. Attending all of your follow-up appointments is very important, they are a time for you to talk to your doctor about any problems and issues you may be facing post-treatment, and all necessary exams, lab test, and imaging tests will be performed to ensure that any side effects or signs of cancer returning are caught and treated as early as possible.

What Types of Tests and Exams Can You Expect?

Your follow-up care will likely involve the following :

CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen) laboratory tests every 3-6 months for the first 3 years and every 6 months for the next 2 years;
CT chest, abdomen and pelvis every 6-12 months for the first 3 years, then annually for 2 years
Colonoscopy within 1 year post-surgery (or within 6 months if complete colonoscopy could not be performed pre-operatively) and every 2-3 years thereafter, depending on results

Each person’s follow-up plan may be different according to their diagnosis, stage of disease and treatments received, you should discuss with your care team the evaluations that are appropriate for you.

If Cancer Returns

If you experience a relapse, you and the people closest to you may feel shocked, sad, angry in addition to many other emotions. Feelings you may have had during your initial diagnosis may return or feel even stronger. Because of your previous experience you will likely have many questions, concerns and apprehensions regarding the next steps.

Coping with the emotional toll of cancer recurrence involves a multifaceted approach. Establishing a robust support system that includes friends, family, and possibly support groups can provide much-needed emotional and practical assistance. You may want to discuss with your care team the professional counselling that is available to you through your cancer center. You may want to join a support group, some find benefit in talking to other that have experience the same complex emotions that accompany a cancer recurrence.

If cancer comes back, your doctor will talk with you about treatment options and how helpful each one is likely to be. As with your initial diagnosis, you may want to write down your questions and concerns prior to your visits with your physician. This is a time to address questions you may have about treatment, treatment goals as well as the possibility of clinical trial.

Emotional Support

People who have had similar experiences can often offer support. Ask your oncologist, your cancer nurse or the oncology social worker for information about support groups in your area. In addition, Colorectal Cancer Canada (CCC) manages support groups in several communities across Canada to assist patients and their caregivers through cancer and beyond. Contact us at support@colorectalcancercanada.com for more information.

Life After Treatment

Living in Remission

Tips to Help You During This Period

Ask Your Doctor About a Survivorship Care Plan

Follow-up Care When Treatment Has Ended

What Types of Tests and Exams Can You Expect?

If Cancer Returns

Emotional Support

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