I'M ALMOST 20 MONTHS IN REMISSION AND AFTER READING VARIOUS BLOGS ON SITE , IT'S ONLY DAWNING ON ME (DOH!)
SHOULD I NOT BE HAVING A YEARLY MRI OR SOMETHING,STARTING TO GET WORRIED AS THERE WERE QUITE A FEW TIMES THAT I'VE HAD TO CHASE UP RESULTS AND STUFF MYSELF, OMG!
HOW CAN THEY KNOW FOR SURE THAT I'M STILL IN REMISSION BY FEELING AROUND MY NECK AND STICKING A CAMERA UP MY NOSE TO SEE DOWN MY THROAT!
DOESN'T PAY TO BE OF A QUIET NATURE!
FormerMember
Please don't type in upper case. It's like being shouted at.
You should ask your oncologist, next time you see him/her. I'd say they can tell about remission from this cancer by what they are doing, but if you ask how they can make sure it hasn't started up somewhere else without giving you a CT scan occasionally. This isn't meant to frighten you, but it would be nice to be reassured.
If you are feeling pretty well, then you don't really need to worry. Are they taking blood tests for CEA? because that is an indicator too.
I have been in remission for about a year now, and I feel fine. Is there a follow up trial you could go on? Why not ask your GP. If he doesn't know, he may know a man who does. And you can look things up on Cancer Backup. Go into Remission information and see what you can fiind.
I'd have a CT scan every week if it were down to me, but that level of intense radiation is not recommended - in fact when I asked my consultant he said even annual scans were not recommended unless there was a specific reason.
Of course each type of cancer is different and the treatment and follow up will vary, but the specialists will know the most likely places where you could get a recurrence and will do the appropriate monitoring.
I would echo Rwth, next time you have your check-up ask.
