From Treatment to Thriving: Essential Questions to Ask About Your Post-Cancer Care Plan

You’ve completed cancer treatment. Ask these questions about what’s next.

If you’ve undergone treatment for cancer, you have been closely monitored by specialists who have carefully tracked your response to each treatment, helped you cope with any side effects, and assessed your overall health and well-being at each step of the treatment process. When your course of treatment comes to an end, it’s important to talk with your physicians about your follow-up or survivorship care plan and how you can be a proactive part of your post-treatment healthcare team.

There are several questions you should discuss with your oncologist as your active treatment comes to an end. These questions can help you understand what the process of recovery may include, any potential physical and psychological effects, and what steps you can take to lower your risk of recurrence and improve your overall health.

Get answers to these key questions

Before your final appointment with your oncologist or oncology treatment team, tell them that you would like to discuss the next steps as you begin your life as a cancer survivor. It may be helpful to set up a specific appointment with your physicians so you can focus on getting answers to your questions without feeling rushed.

These questions can serve as a starting point for your conversation. Your health advisor can also help you develop a list of questions and, if you’d like, attend the appointment with you to ask follow-up questions and take notes.

      1. Who will manage my care going forward? Which physicians oversee and manage your follow-up care will depend on several factors, including:

1. • • your type and stage of cancer
     • what treatments you had
     • if you experienced any complications or are at risk for other health issues as a result of treatment
     • whether you’re still experiencing side effects or their after-effects like chronic pain or issues with appetiteYou will also want to ensure that all your diagnostic and treatment records from providers and hospitals have been shared with the physicians who will manage your care.
2. How do I get a copy of my follow-up care plan? Your follow-up care plan, which can also be called a survivorship plan, is a summary of the treatment you’ve undergone and an outline of recommendations to follow once your treatment is completed. Ask your physician how you can access a physical or digital copy of the plan so you can include it in your medical record and share it with other physicians who treat you. Your health advisor can also add the plan to your secure universal electronic medical record.
3. Will I need to schedule follow-up visits with my oncology team? Ask how soon and how often you should continue to see members of your oncology treatment team. Find out what you can expect to happen at follow-up visits, for example will you need bloodwork, scans, and/or physical exams
4. What type of monitoring and screening tests will I need going forward? Talk with your physician about which tests you’ll need and at what intervals. Ask what the benefits and risks of each diagnostic testing option are.
5. Are there physical problems that either my cancer or my treatment may cause? What types of issues you may experience will depend on the type of cancer you were diagnosed with and what treatments you underwent. For example, if you underwent treatment for head and neck cancer you could experience issues with eating, swallowing, or speech. People who are treated for breast cancer with chemotherapy may experience early menopause, while breast radiation may affect the health of your heart. Men treated for prostate cancer may have issues with urination, bowel function, or sexual function. Some treatments may increase the risk of developing another type of cancer in the future. In addition, some medications can affect bone density and increase your future risk of osteoporosis.
6. Are there psychological issues that I may face after treatment? After cancer treatment, it’s not uncommon to feel anxious and/or depressed. Ask your physician what symptoms you should watch for and who to contact if you’re experiencing mental health symptoms.
7. How likely is it that my cancer will recur? Ask if there are steps you can take, such as chemopreventive medications and lifestyle and diet changes, which could help lower your risk of recurrence.
8. What symptoms should I watch for that could indicate a recurrence? Ask what symptoms or changes in your health may mean your cancer has returned. Find out who you should contact for assessment of these symptoms.
9. What support services are available to me and my family now that active treatment is complete? Your physician may be able to connect you with dietitians, physical/occupational therapists, integrative medicine specialists, social workers, smoking cessation programs, financial counselors, support groups, and more to guide you and your family through survivorship.
10. What steps can I take to be as healthy as possible after cancer treatment? Talk with your physician about proactive changes you can make to improve your overall health and wellbeing and lower the risk of cancer recurrence. Recommended changes may include choosing a healthy diet, taking part in regular physical activity once you’re cleared to do so, quitting smoking or the use of alcohol or substances, and managing stress. Your health advisor can connect you with specialists in these fields. Some hospitals have cancer survivorship programs that offer long-term follow-up care and support, including social and emotional support groups, preventive cancer screenings, educational sessions, rehabilitation services, financial navigators, legal support, and more.
    1.  

Connect with PinnacleCare

For more information about how PinnacleCare’s Health Advisors could assist you with post-cancer support, connect with us today.

PUBLISHED ON JUNE 16, 2026
Categories: Condition and Disease Management, Cancer

PinnacleCare is a member of the Sun Life Financial Inc. (“Sun Life”) family of companies. PinnacleCare and its employees do not diagnose medical conditions, recommend treatment options or provide medical care, and any information or services provided should not be considered medical advice. Any medical decisions should be made only after consultation with and at the direction of your medical provider. Any person or entity who provides health care services following a referral or other service provided does so independently and not as an agent or representative of PinnacleCare.

© 2026 PinnacleCare International, LLC, Baltimore, MD. All rights reserved.

PCWC-10116-40 #4453358955 06/26