Post Brain Cancer Treatment: Take Charge of Your Follow-up Care
Proactive brain cancer patients never stop looking for new ways to battle their disease. The same steps you took to make initial brain cancer treatment decisions will help you take the reins of your follow-up care. Ask your oncologist about additional brain cancer treatment options, including Clinical Trials, do your own research and seek second opinions to ensure you know about the latest brain tumor treatments or experimental therapies to prevent your brain cancer from getting worse or recurring.
It’s important to receive follow-up care from the oncologist who coordinated your original brain cancer treatment if at all possible. According to a survey on survivorship conducted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, approximately 75 percent of oncologists believe they should be involved in the ongoing care of cancer survivors, including general health maintenance, screening and prevention. Other specialists and your primary care physician should also be involved in managing your other health issues and general health needs.
It is vital to take care of all medical and wellness needs – not just your brain cancer – because it is easy for survivors to get distracted by their brain cancer and neglect other health needs. Seek preventative care for all aspects of your health and even consider complementary therapies, such as massage, yoga or acupuncture to reduce stress and enhance your quality of life.
Don’t try to face brain cancer alone. Support groups and other support services are available at most hospitals and medical centers to help brain cancer survivors and their families address the psychological, emotional and social consequences of brain cancer and brain cancer treatment. Additionally the CERN Community is here to help provide support, answer questions and provide ways to get involved.
The American Cancer Society organizes, runs and facilitates thousands of cancer support groups through its state and local chapters. Their website is an excellent place to start. Another major resource for brain cancer support groups is The Wellness Community, with a network of 19 facilities in 25 locations in the country. If you prefer online peer-to-peer support, the Association of Cancer Online Resources provides online access to electronic support groups for patients and caregivers.
If you have questions about where to turn for support please contact us. We also encourage you to log in to our message boards to connect with others who may have the same questions and may have personal experiences that can help guide you.