Mouth, head and neck cancer
After treatment
What follow-up do I need?
After your cancer treatment has ended you will still need regular check-ups. This is called follow-up. The follow-up may involve having a physical exam, blood tests and scans. The follow-up for head and neck cancers usually entails visits:
- Every 3 months for 2 years
- Every 6 months for another 3 years
- After 5 years – follow-up is decided on an individual basis
Your follow-up is very important for your doctor and dentist to monitor your progress. It’s also a chance for you to ask any questions and to let the doctor know if you have any side-effects that are bothering you or if you are finding it hard to cope.
Make sure you understand your follow-up plan and have a phone number to contact if you have any queries.
If you are between check-ups and have a symptom or problem that is worrying you, call your specialist nurse for advice or to arrange an earlier outpatient appointment if necessary.
If you become suddenly unwell and can’t contact your specialist nurse or hospital team, go to your GP or the emergency department at the hospital.
Why follow-up is important
It’s important to go to your follow-up appointments so your doctor can check for signs of the cancer coming back (recurrence) and help with any side-effects that you may have. They can also check for new side-effects that may develop after you have finished treatment. It is best to be aware of these as early as possible so that suitable treatment can be given.
Life after treatment
The end of treatment is a time when people often expect to feel relieved, happy and able to get on with life again, but it can take some time to adjust and for your body and mind to recover.
We have information to help you with:
- Side-effects
- Your feelings after treatment
- Living a healthy lifestyle
- Financial and practical matters
LACES after-treatment workshop
Join our Life and Cancer – Enhancing Survivorship (LACES) programme when you have finished treatment or started maintenance therapy.
This workshop covers topics such as diet, exercise, wellbeing, finance and self-management and gives information on support and services to help you.
What if the cancer comes back?
Sometimes cancer does come back, even after successful treatment. Cancer cells may remain in your body and grow again, although your doctors do all they can to prevent this.
If the cancer comes back in your mouth, head and neck or somewhere else, your doctor will advise you about your treatment options. This may include taking part in a clinical trial. You might also find it reassuring to have another medical opinion. Your treating doctor or GP can refer you to another specialist for a second opinion if you feel this would be helpful.
Talk to a Cancer Nurse
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