Would NHS offer regular check up for post-treatment cancer patients?

Hi  and welcome to the Online Community although I am sorry to see you joining us.

Have your medical records been transferred to your new GP as this would be the normal route. If your records have not been transferred the initial call will most likely be a general review covering where things are at at the moment with you...... you can then ask for a face to face to follow this up.

My GP surgery are doing triage calls and based on that call a face to face appointment can be made if required.

The Community is divided into support groups (discussion rooms) so can I suggest that you consider joining our supportive Breast cancer group. This is a safe place to talk to others who may have a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.

If you'd like to connect in with a group click on the Green (Bold) link(s) I have created above. Once the group page opens click on the black banner that says [click to join] at the bottom, or the [Join] button under "Group tools."

You can then introduce yourself by putting up a ‘new post’ by clicking in the box near the top right with + New or + (Depending on the device you are using) and you are ready to go.

Macmillan have many support services so do check out the Macmillan Support Line open 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00. These services provide cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear. 

We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow a few working days for a reply.

Talking to people face to face can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing and aim to give support to all the family.

Do get back to me if you need further help.

All the very best.

Thanks Mike.  

I just had a phone call with my GP for the first time yesterday but it seems she wasn't willing offer much help.  Also, what made me so uncomfortable and losing confidence is she kept asking me did my doctor in my hometown said to me I don't need any regular check up after 5 years and I responded few times "No, I wasn't never told" and I was advised to have regular check up every year to ensure there is no recurrence or spreading to other organs.  It sounds to me she wasn't willing to assist for those who had gone through treatment.  That really concerns me and even I'm lucky enough to overcome the challenge of tackling with cancer but doesn't mean i"m completely free from the fear of having cancer.  To me, regular check up is a preventive measure to make someone like me feel more secured and comfortable both physically and emotionally.  

I'm not sure if this is the common practice in Scotland or I can seek for another GP/ clinic for second advice? 

any advice would be much appreciated!

best, 

Kaikai

Hi again, it’s safe to say that each cancer ‘type’ and post treatment monitoring will be very different so as I said before you may want to post your question to our Nurse Team in our Ask an Expert section as they will know what the NHS process is for monitoring for your cancer….. but do allow a few working days for a reply.

I have been on my incurable blood cancer journey for over 23 years. During the first 16 years I relapsed multiply times so the longest I went between going on treatments was about 9 months. Following my last treatment in Oct 2015 I eventually reached remission in Sep 2016 and I remain in remission to this day.

Sep 2018 my hospital team discharged me (3 years after my treatment) and I only have full bloods once a year and a phone call follow up with a Cancer Nurse Specialist….. but I never see anyone, but as my type is incurable I do know where to find them if required.

Second opinion is always an option but you do need to find out what the recommended NHS protocol is for your cancer type.

I am quite new to this situation but as I understand it in the UK a 5 year survivor is treated as "cured" and discharged from all care treatment and tests. Budget no doubt plays a part in that policy.