To prepare for survivorship, the Institute of Medicine recommends you ask the following questions:
- What physical problems will I likely experience as a result of my brain cancer or brain cancer treatments?
- What can I do to relieve the pain and other problems after brain cancer treatment?
- Am I at greater risk for developing other cancers as a result of my illness or brain cancer treatment?
- How likely is my brain cancer to return, and is there anything I can do to prevent or delay recurrence?
- What specific tests will I get to monitor and screen for brain cancer recurrence or new cancers, and how often will I get these tests?
- For these screening and recurrence tests, what are my diagnostic options and the advantages/disadvantages of each?
- How often will I go for follow-up visits?
- What can I do to maintain my health and well-being?
- Who will be responsible for monitoring my care now that I have finished my brain cancer treatment?
- Do I need genetic counseling to determine if my brain cancer is hereditary so I can alert my family and to find out if I am at increased risk for other cancers?
- What supportive services do you recommend?
If you have any questions about planning for post-treatment please contact us or log in to our message boards to connect with fellow patients, caregivers and medical providers.