Care and support for late effects

Different health professionals can support your wellbeing if you have late effects. They can help you manage symptoms and monitor your general health.

If you have follow-up appointments

Your appointments may be with your cancer specialist, cancer nurse, GP, or a mix of these. A follow-up appointment is a good time to discuss your symptoms and possible late effects to watch for.

Your doctor or nurse may refer you to a range of allied health professionals to help you manage your symptoms. Psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists and dietitians are all allied health professionals.

Write down any questions you have and bring the list to your appointments. You can also bring a family member or friend for support or to help listen and take notes. If you have a survivorship care plan, bring it with you.

If you notice any new symptoms or feel worried between appointments, contact your GP straightaway. You don’t have to wait for your next check-up. It’s important to speak up so your symptoms can be managed as soon as possible.

If you don’t have follow-up appointments

If it has been at least 6 months since your last follow-up appointment, it’s best to see your GP first. Your GP can:

• assess your symptoms
• prescribe medicines and suggest ways to help manage your symptoms
• give you a referral to your cancer specialist or an allied health professional
• create a chronic condition management plan or mental health treatment plan for you
• help you with next steps.

It’s always useful to tell or remind your GP that you had cancer treatment, even many years later. If you have them, bring details of your cancer diagnosis and treatment (often called a treatment summary) or your survivorship care plan to your GP appointment.

If you live in a rural or regional area

Support is available if you travel long distances to get to doctors and support services. You can:

• get help with travel and accommodation services – call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 for more information about practical support
• ask if telehealth can be used for any appointments to reduce your travel
• join a local cancer support group, where you can share experiences. You can call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 to be linked with individuals and support groups by phone or online.

What is a survivorship care plan?

Some treatment centres give you a survivorship care plan when you finish cancer treatment. This plan can:

• summarise your cancer and the treatment you received
• set out a clear timetable for follow-up visits and screening tests, with contact details for your care team
• list symptoms to watch for and possible long-term or late side effects
• describe your medical, emotional and social needs after treatment, and how to manage them
• explain each team member’s role and who to call if you feel worried
• suggest practical steps for a healthy lifestyle.

This plan helps you, your family and your healthcare team communicate. You can review and update it as your needs change over time. Ask your doctor or nurse to update it at appointments.

If you don’t have a survivorship care plan, you can create your own and review it with your GP or cancer care team. Visit the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and search for “life after treatment resources”.

Questions to ask your health professionals

This checklist may be helpful when thinking of questions to ask your GP or cancer care team.

• Am I at risk of getting any late effects and what can I do to prevent them?
• What symptoms or changes should I watch out for?
• Who should I contact if I develop new symptoms?
• Is this symptom related to my cancer treatment?
• What treatments are there for any late effects that I have?
• Am I eligible for a chronic condition management plan or mental health treatment plan?