As with any serious illness, follow-up care is very important in cases of lung cancer. Cancer of any kind has a tendency to recur — so the patient needs to be carefully monitored for this possibility. Also, the patient may experience other health problems associated with cancer or arising from the treatment regimen like chemotherapy. The patient needs follow-up care to deal with them.
The patient himself, his family members and the healthcare professionals should watch out for any changes in the patient’s health and overall physical condition. This can help to treat problems as early as possible.
Follow up care can include regular physical checkups, lab tests of various kinds and perhaps chest x-rays. The patient should be made aware of the critical importance of these checkups and should attend them with regularity.
Very likely, the patient also needs psychological support. Cancer is a scary disease and having it can have a profound emotional impact on the patient.
Even after the treatment is over, the family members, healthcare professionals and perhaps others like cancer support groups should provide the necessary emotional support and assistance.
Cancer survivor groups in particular may be very helpful. The patient comes to understand that he or she is far from alone in his condition and that others have successfully combated this disease and come out stronger on the other side.
For more information, refer to stage 3 lung cancer and facts on lung cancer.