Post-Treatment Annual Follow-Up Essentials: A Must-Know Guide for Cancer Survivors
After cancer treatment, regular follow-up examinations are crucial for reducing the risk of recurrence.
This article summarizes the key points of annual check-ups that Hong Kong patients should pay attention to, including imaging, blood tests, endoscopy, heart health, and metabolic indicators, to help you actively protect your health.
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After completing cancer treatment, regular follow-up examinations are crucial for reducing the risk of recurrence. This article outlines the key annual check-ups for cancer survivors in Hong Kong, including imaging, blood tests, endoscopy, heart health, and metabolic monitoring—helping you take proactive steps to safeguard your health.
Why Are Post-Treatment Follow-Ups Important?
Many patients believe they can fully relax after completing cancer treatment. In reality, regular follow-ups are essential to detect recurrence or metastasis at an early stage. According to Hong Kong medical guidelines, survivors should undergo follow-up assessments every 4–6 months or annually, depending on individual circumstances and doctor recommendations.
Common Annual Follow-Up Assessments
- Physical Examination and Consultation – Evaluating side effects after treatment and monitoring quality of life.
- Imaging Tests – X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, or PET-CT depending on cancer type.
- Endoscopic Examinations – Gastroscopy, colonoscopy, nasopharyngoscopy, or cystoscopy where clinically relevant.
- Blood Tests – Tumor markers, vitamin D levels, inflammatory markers, and circulating tumor cells (CTCs).
Special Monitoring Considerations
- Cardiac Function: Patients who have received certain chemotherapy drugs or targeted therapies should undergo annual heart assessments.
- Thyroid Ultrasound for Breast Cancer Survivors: Research indicates a higher risk of thyroid cancer after breast cancer treatment; annual thyroid screening is recommended.
Metabolic Health and Recurrence Risk
Beyond conventional monitoring, metabolic health strongly influences recurrence. Survivors should track:
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Body fat percentage
- Cholesterol levels
- Blood glucose
Studies show that high blood sugar, elevated cholesterol, and chronic inflammation can accelerate cancer progression and metastasis.
Conclusion
Post-treatment follow-up is a comprehensive health management strategy, covering imaging, bloodwork, cardiac and thyroid function, and metabolic markers. Cancer survivors in Hong Kong can further reduce recurrence risk through lifestyle strategies such as balanced diet, regular exercise, stress reduction, vitamin D supplementation, and CTC testing.
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References
- Chlebowski, R. T., & Aragaki, A. K. (2016). Lifestyle and cancer survivorship. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 34(15), 1739-1747.
- Hayes, D. F., Cristofanilli, M., Budd, G. T., Ellis, M. J., Stopeck, A., Miller, M. C., … & Allard, W. J. (2006). Circulating tumor cells at each follow-up time point during therapy of metastatic breast cancer patients predict progression-free and overall survival. Clinical Cancer Research, 12(14), 4218-4224.
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). (2020). World Cancer Report: Cancer Research for Cancer Prevention. Lyon: IARC Press.