Finishing treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major milestone. While it can bring a sense of relief, it’s also common to feel a bit uncertain about what comes next. One important part of this next phase is your follow-up care, which helps monitor your health and check for any signs that cancer may have returned.
Understanding what follow-up care looks like and why it matters can help you feel more prepared and in control.
Why ongoing care is essential
After treatment, your care team will continue to monitor you closely for a few key reasons:
- To check for recurrence: Even after successful treatment, CRC can sometimes come back. Regular monitoring helps catch it early, when it may be easier to treat.
- To manage side effects: Some treatment-related side effects can appear months or even years later. Follow-up visits help address these issues.
- To support your overall health: These visits are also a chance to talk about nutrition, physical activity, emotional well-being, and any concerns you may have.
What does monitoring after treatment look like?
Your follow-up plan will depend on your specific diagnosis, treatment, and overall health. However, most people who have been treated for CRC can expect a combination of the following:
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Regular doctor visits
In the first few years after treatment, you’ll likely see your doctor every 3 to 6 months. Over time, these visits may become less frequent.
During these appointments, your care team may:
- Ask about any new symptoms
- Perform a physical exam
- Review your overall health and recovery
These visits are a great time to bring up any concerns, no matter how small they may seem.
Blood tests (CEA Testing)
You may have regular blood tests to check levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a protein that can sometimes be elevated in people with CRC.
Rising CEA levels don’t always mean cancer has returned, but they can be an early signal that your care team will want to investigate further. The NCCN Guidelines currently recommend this blood test every six months or so for three years.
Imaging tests
Your doctor may recommend periodic CT scans of your chest, abdomen, and pelvis. These scans help look for any signs of cancer returning in the colon, rectum, or other parts of the body.
Colonoscopies
A colonoscopy is a key part of follow-up care. If you didn’t have a colonoscopy at the time of diagnosis, current guidelines recommend undergoing a colonoscopy 3-6 months after surgery. If you had a colonoscopy diagnosis, a colonoscopy is recommended one year after surgery. If there are no signs of recurrence, it’ll be repeated every 3-5 years.
When is the risk of recurrence highest?
For many people, the risk of CRC coming back is highest within the first 2 to 3 years after treatment. That’s why follow-up care is typically more frequent during this time.
As more time passes without any signs of cancer, your risk generally decreases and your follow-up schedule may become less intensive.
Symptoms to watch for between visits
Even with regular follow-up appointments, it’s important to pay attention to how you’re feeling.
Let your doctor know if you notice:
- Changes in bowel habits (such as persistent diarrhea or constipation)
- Blood in your stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- Ongoing abdominal pain
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve
These symptoms don’t always mean cancer has returned, but they should be checked out.
Supporting your emotional health after treatment
Finishing treatment doesn’t always mean the emotional rollercoaster of a CRC diagnosis goes away. It’s completely normal to experience a range of emotions. Recognizing and addressing your mental health is an important part of your overall recovery. If your feelings start to feel overwhelming or interfere with your daily life, it’s important to let your care team know. Support is available, and you don’t have to navigate this alone.
Navigating a CRC diagnosis? Join our Outcomes4Me Community to meet and connect with other cancer patients who may share your experiences.
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