Other Screening Tests

You should continue following your regular health care recommendations:

• Have your annual flu shot.
• Have regular Pap test with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) test every 3 to 5 years or as recommended by your doctor.
• If you are 45 and older, have regular screening for colon cancer. This may include guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (FOBT) of fecal immunochemical test (FIT), every year; the multi-target stool DNA test that can be done every 3 years; flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy every 5 to 10 years; and CT colonography exams every 5 years. Talk with your doctor about the test that is best for you.
• If you have other health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. You should continue regular check-ups and follow your doctor’s recommendations.
• If you have doubts, talk to your doctor about your concerns, and ask him/her who should be responsible for your regular follow-up care. Your medical team should provide a survivorship care plan with advice and recommendations. Ask them about it.

Take advantage of your doctor visits. The main purpose of these visits is to ensure your treatment plan is going as expected and to provide any support you need, such as:

• Talk about ways you may lower your risk of recurrence.
• Talk about any problems you have with medications, such as hormone therapy.
• Discuss any side effects of treatment, such as menopausal symptoms.
• Receive emotional support.
• Give you a time to ask questions and share concerns.
• Discuss medications prescribed by your doctor.

Sources:

American Cancer Society, 2022. Living as a Breast Cancer Survivor: Follow-Up Care After Breast Cancer Treatment.

American Cancer Society, 2023. American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer.