Follow up after anal cancer treatment

After treatment, you have regular check ups at the hospital. You might also have tests including a digital rectal examination (DRE), and scans. Over time, these appointments become less frequent. 

Why you might have follow up appointments

You usually have follow up appointments to check how you are and see whether you have any problems or worries. The appointments also give you the chance to raise any concerns you have about your progress.

The doctor will:

• look for signs of the cancer coming back
• see if there are any problems following treatment

You have your follow ups at the cancer clinic after chemoradiotherapy. After surgery, you might have follow ups at the surgical outpatients.

The surgeon and the oncologist might share your follow up. This means that you see the surgeon sometimes and the oncologist at other times.

Specialist nurse

Most bowel surgery units have a colorectal specialist nurse and a stoma specialist nurse.

You usually meet them in the clinic before you have surgery. Both specialist nurses will give you a telephone number. Contact them if you have any worries or problems.

How often are my check ups?

Check ups can vary from hospital to hospital. It also depends on the aim of your treatment.

You usually have follow up appointments every 3 to 6 months if you had chemoradiation or an abdominoperineal resection (APR). This continues for 5 years. After 5 years, your team will tell you how often you need to see them.

What happens during the appointment?

At each appointment your doctor examines you. They'll ask:

• how you're feeling
• if you've had symptoms
• if you're worried about anything

You might have tests or scans. These might include:

• a digital rectal exam (DRE)
• a anoscopy or proctoscopy
• MRI scans
• CT scans

You won’t have these tests at every visit. How often you have scans will depend on:

• the treatment you've had
• your type and stage of cancer
• any symptoms you have
• the follow up guidelines your doctor uses

Between appointments

Contact your doctor or specialist nurse if you have any concerns between appointments. You should also contact them if you notice any new symptoms. You don’t have to wait until your next visit.

Many people find their check ups quite worrying. A hospital appointment can bring back any anxiety you had about your cancer.

It can help to tell someone close to you how you’re feeling. Sharing your worries can mean they don’t seem so overwhelming. Many people find it helpful to have counselling during or after cancer treatment.

You can also find people to share experiences with by using our online forum, CancerChat.