Living and coping with the effects of cancer and treatment can be difficult and challenging. For some people, the end of treatment means they are not likely to need any more cancer treatment. This can be a daunting time and you may have many more questions or new feelings. This is normal.
Some people may have ongoing treatment to help reduce the risk of the cancer coming back. For others, treatment is about managing the cancer over a long period of time.
Wherever you are in your journey, you may still have side effects from treatment and new emotions to cope with. You will need time to find out what is now normal for you. It can take time to adjust.
Things you can do
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle can support you in managing your condition. Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and staying active can:
- reduce tiredness and side effects,
- boost your mood, and
- strengthen your bones and muscles.
Support through the REACT programme
The Rehabilitation and Exercise during Addenbrooke’s Cancer Treatment (REACT) programme helps people with cancer to stay active after diagnosis and during treatment.
Our team of specialist therapists includes Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech and Language Therapists. They are experienced in assessing and treating a range of physical and psychological symptoms caused by cancer and its treatment.
Find out more about cancer rehabilitation to see if you are eligible for this service.
Talking about your worries and emotions
It’s important to talk about any worries or emotions you may have. It’s normal to have mixed feelings at any time, including when treatment ends.
CUH Cancer Support Service
The CUH Cancer Support Service includes a team of skilled professionals who work closely with your clinical team. They can help you with a range of non-clinical issues, including support groups, counselling, and practical support.
- Cancer Support Advisors offer a listening ear and help you find the right information for you and your family.
- Cancer Navigators provide a needs assessment if you’re feeling overwhelmed. They help create a care plan that you can refer to or share with your GP. They support you throughout your treatment and follow-up, offering emotional support when needed.
Pastoral and spiritual care
Pastoral and spiritual care is available to everyone, regardless of religion or belief. You don’t need to follow a particular faith to receive support. Our chaplains are here for anyone who asks to see them and will respect your background and beliefs.
Find out more about our pastoral care service to see if this is something you need.
Useful links:
Get involved in your follow-up care
Your follow-up appointments are personalised to your needs. At CUH, you may be offered a Patient Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) appointment, also known as ‘patient-led follow-up,’ ‘open access,’ or ‘supported self-managed follow-up.’
Find out more about Patient Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU).
A PIFU appointment is similar to a regular face-to-face or video outpatient follow-up, but it’s agreed between you and your treating team based on your needs. If you feel the need for an earlier appointment, you can contact us to arrange it.
As part of your follow-up, our Cancer Navigators will offer a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA). This is a brief questionnaire to help identify what’s most important to you. You’ll have a conversation about your needs, and we will provide a care plan with any follow-up actions for you or your GP. If you haven't been offered an assessment and would like one, please contact us, and we can arrange it for you.
Find out more about our Cancer Navigators.
If you've completed your primary treatment, you may also be offered an End of Treatment Summary. This document details your treatment, any ongoing surveillance, and potential side or late effects to watch for. It’s also sent to your GP to help with ongoing support and monitoring. If you'd like to receive this summary, please ask your treating team to provide one for you.
If you have any questions about your follow-up appointment, contact the number in your appointment letter. For non-emergency clinical concerns, please call your Clinical Nurse Specialist using the number given at your first consultation. You may need to leave a message, but someone from the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
You can also contact your clinical team through MyChart messaging if it’s available within your clinical specialty. The team will respond within 10 working days.
Sign-up to MyChart
Once you have signed-up you will be able to access your hospital information via MyChart from your smartphone or tablet device (Apple or Android) or from a computer or laptop.