After your treatment ends, you may have more time to reflect and new questions may come up. It’s normal to wonder about your health, emotions, and what comes next. All your questions are important—don’t hesitate to ask your care team.
Key questions to ask:
- What treatments and medicines have I received? Ask for a written record of your cancer type, treatments, and possible side effects.
- Do I need follow-up care? Find out what tests or screenings you’ll need and when to see your doctor. Add these dates to your calendar.
- How can I stay healthy? Ask your care team about diet, exercise, and lifestyle tips to support your recovery.
- Will I be different physically? Some treatments can affect your heart, energy, fertility, or mental health. Ask your care team about short- and long-term effects.
Use your Cancer Care Journey Planner to see more sample questions and record the answers.
Your cancer care team after treatment
Your cancer care team has supported you every step of the way from diagnosis to treatment. Now that treatment is over, you’re entering a new phase. It’s normal to feel uncertain or have questions about what comes next. Your cancer care team is still here to help you transition and move forward.
Support doesn’t end when treatment ends. Explore the resources available to you.
Fewer appointments
You’ll see your cancer care team less often because you no longer need active treatment. Your oncologist and primary care provider will now share your follow-up care.
Primary care provider
Your new main contact for ongoing health needs. They’ll work with your care team to support your recovery.
Changing team roles
Your primary nurse may become your go-to contact for questions and follow-up support after your treatment ends. You can speak with them at your follow-up clinic visits or by phone—ask your clinic for the phone number if you do not already have this.
Share the Treatment Tracker from your Cancer Care Journey Planner with your primary care provider. Future decisions about your care may depend on your past treatments.
Your clinic visit notes will be shared with your primary care provider. Check with your
cancer team to confirm this was done.
Keep them updated with:
- Current medications (including over-the-counter medicines, supplements,
vitamins, and herbal products) - Upcoming tests/check-ups (e.g., mammograms, PSA, pap tests)
- Specialists you are still seeing
- Lifestyle changes you have made (e.g., diet, exercise, quitting smoking)
- Any symptoms or concerns
Being a cancer survivor
The word “survivor” means different things to different people. It may refer to anyone living with cancer—whether they are newly diagnosed, in remission, or living with advanced cancer.
Some people find the term empowering, while others may not relate to it. Either way, it can help people navigate the challenges of life during and after cancer.
Cancer survivorship focuses on your life beyond diagnosis and treatment. It includes physical, emotional, social, mental, and practical concerns, and emphasizes quality of life and follow-up care.
Family, friends, and caregivers also play an important part in supporting you throughout your experience with cancer and survivorship.
Palliative care
Palliative care helps improve quality of life for people with serious illnesses by managing symptoms, and providing emotional, spiritual, and comfort-focused support. Palliative care is not just for end-of-life—it is best provided from the beginning when someone has been diagnosed with a lifelimiting illness.
You can connect with the palliative care team whenever you are ready. This support can begin at any stage—even while you’re receiving active treatment. They will work alongside your cancer care team to help manage symptoms, plan ahead, and support your personal goals.
SHN is proud to be home to the Rowntree Palliative Care Centre, providing palliative care services through outpatient visits, support, resources, as well as to patients staying in our hospital.