After Treatment Care
Once you have finished treatment, the radiation oncology team is still available to provide you with advice and information relating to your treatment. Many groups and networks have been set up throughout New Zealand to provide ongoing support for people who have received cancer treatments.
Dr and Patient consultation.
Follow-up Care
At the completion of your radiation therapy, you enter into a follow-up period. This means we will actively monitor you over an extended period of time, possibly up to five years. The first few follow-up visits are likely to be with your radiation oncologist but, if you are well, the oncologist may hand your care over to your GP or surgeon/specialist. A summary of your treatment and any information gathered at follow-up visits is sent to your GP to keep him/her up-to-date with your situation.
You will receive your first follow-up appointment in the mail. If you are from outside the Palmerston North area, your follow-up will be scheduled to occur when the radiation oncologist visits your local hospital.
At times during this follow-up period, it may be necessary to send you for some tests to monitor your health. Tests can be done to check the status of your disease, or to monitor any residual side effects from the treatment. These tests may include of blood tests, x-rays or scans.
Please do not hesitate to get in contact with us between visits if you have any problems that you think may be related to your condition or the treatment you received.
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Last Updated 21/03/2011