How often will I need follow-up appointments after treatment?

How often you'll need follow-up appointments depends on your type of cancer, the treatment you received, and your individual situation, so it's best to ask your care team directly. The National Cancer Institute lists "Which doctor(s) do I need to see for follow-up care, and how often should I see them?" as one of the common questions people ask when treatment ends.

Many follow-up schedules start out more frequent — for example, every few months in the first year or two — and then space out over time if there are no signs of concern. Your plan should also specify what tests you'll need at each visit and how often, since not every follow-up appointment involves the same testing.

You should receive a written follow-up care plan that spells this out, along with a treatment summary describing what treatment you had. Keeping these documents on hand makes it easier to share your history with any new doctor you see in the future, and to keep track of your own schedule.

If your follow-up plan isn't clear, it's reasonable to ask your care team to walk through it with you before you leave your last treatment appointment.