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Questions to ask when treatment ends

The end-of-treatment conversation decides how the next five years go. These are the questions that get you a plan rather than a goodbye.

When to use this list: Your last treatment appointment, or the first review afterwards.

This is the single most valuable appointment in survivorship care, and it is often short. Going in with a written list changes what you come out with — most importantly a treatment summary, a follow-up schedule and a phone number.

Questions are stored on this device only.

What I had

You will need these details for the rest of your life, and memory is not enough.

  • Can I have a written summary of my diagnosis and treatment?
  • What exactly was my diagnosis — type, grade, stage and any biomarkers?
  • Which drugs did I have, at what total doses?
  • If I had radiotherapy, which area was treated, at what dose and over how many sessions?
  • Were there any complications during treatment that a future doctor should know about?

What happens now

  • What is my follow-up schedule, and how long does it continue?
  • What tests or scans will I have, and who arranges each of them?
  • Who is my main point of contact from now on?
  • Will my follow-up move to my family doctor, and if so when?
  • What happens if I need to be seen sooner — what is the route back in?

What to expect

  • How long should I expect fatigue and other side effects to last?
  • What is a normal recovery timeline for someone who had my treatment?
  • Are there any long-term or late effects I should specifically watch for?
  • Do I need any monitoring — heart, bones, thyroid, hearing?
  • Is there anything I should avoid, physically or otherwise?

Medication and ongoing treatment

  • Am I continuing any medication, for how long, and who reviews it?
  • What side effects should I report, and what can be done about them?
  • What should I do if I cannot tolerate it?
  • Are there any medicines, supplements or vaccines I should avoid?

Life

  • When can I go back to work, and should it be phased?
  • What exercise is safe for me now, and is there a rehabilitation programme?
  • Is my fertility likely to be affected, and can I be referred to a specialist?
  • Is there psychological support available for me or my family?
  • Do routine screening programmes and vaccinations restart for me?
  • Should my family consider genetic testing?

Warning signs

Ask for this in writing. It removes most of the daily adjudication of symptoms.

  • Which symptoms should make me contact you rather than wait?
  • How long should a symptom last before I report it?
  • Which symptoms mean I should go to an emergency department?
  • What is the out-of-hours number?

In the room

  • Take someone with you. Two people remember roughly twice as much.
  • Ask if you can record the conversation on your phone.
  • Ask the most important question first, in case time runs out.
  • Ask them to write down anything you will need to repeat to someone else.
  • If you do not understand a word, say so — the words are the job, not you.

These questions are general prompts, not medical advice, and your team knows your situation. If something here does not apply to you, leave it out. Medical disclaimer.

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