There are nearly 12 million cancer survivors in the US who are living far off their doctors’ predictions, thanks to a combination of cutting-edge improved screening measures, chemotherapy drugs, and excellent treatment.
The cancer survivors experience unique challenges along with their treatment after cancer and need to stay alert to possible after-effects from chemotherapy and radiation.
It is necessary to visit a Sundoctors about proper cancer check Central Coast for delayed side effects of cancer treatment for the rest of your life. Below is a list of tests that you may require depending on the treatment you received for cancer:
1. Regular Echocardiograms.
Patients who accepted radiation to the chest wall and got lofty doses of chemotherapy, especially with drugs known as anthracyclines (also called doxorubicin), should go for yearly echocardiograms to check for any damage of heart-related to treatment.
2. Regular Mammograms.
If you are a survivor of childhood cancer and got high doses of radiation to the chest wall, you may require to start mammograms at an early age.
Secondary cancers connected to main treatment are a chance, especially with emission to the chest wall. Breast cancer is one of the feasible secondary cancers that may develop.
Consult your primary care physician or oncologist about the screening mammograms set about at an early age. If you are a survivor of breast cancer, screening mammograms should be first on your priority list every year.
3. Thyroid Examinations.
If you got radiation in the head, neck, or throat, you should be checked for thyroid-connected conditions.
4. Lung Function Tests.
If you have received radiation to the chest wall or got chemotherapy, including the drug bleomycin, you should get regular lung function tests.
Although advanced radiation techniques reduce the scatter of radiation to the lungs, it does not fully remove all risk. Testing involves the amount of air your lungs can hold and the speed with which air moves in and out of the lungs.
5. Blood And Imaging Tests.
blood tests (CEA titer) and Computed tomography (CT scans) are used to determine secondary cancer. With these kinds of tests often there are false positives, so be sure to consult your family physician or oncologist about the requirement and frequency of such tests.
Signs Of Cancer
If you have any of these signs, visit your doctor. These are cancer symptoms:
● Bladder habits or Change in bowel
● A sore that does not cure
● Discharge or Unusual bleeding
● Lump or thickening elsewhere or in the breast
● Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
● Mole or Obvious change in a wart
● Hoarseness or Nagging cough
Again, if you are having any of these symptoms, please visit a specialist to plan an examination and screening.
Conclusion
Cancer survivors have to be their own advocates when it comes to finding a treatment plan for delaying side effects. A careful review of cancer you had in the past and the treatment you took will help you and the healthcare team to come up with the best survival treatment plan for the future.
The most important part of being a cancer survivor is to maintain follow-up care, so you can enjoy a prosperous, active, and healthy lifestyle.