Follow-up after treatment for bowel cancer

Appointments may cover bowel habit, abdominal discomfort, bleeding, appetite, weight change, fatigue and how well you are managing daily activities. Your team may arrange blood tests and imaging, and a colonoscopy may be discussed depending on your treatment and previous findings. Follow-up also checks effects of surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy and whether you need help with nutrition or bowel changes.

Write down changes in bowel movements, pain, bleeding, appetite and energy, including when they started. Bring your medicine list and mention supplements. Follow instructions for any planned test, keep appointments, and ask how results will reach you. Report concerns between visits rather than waiting for the next appointment.

Contact your team promptly for new or persistent rectal bleeding, increasing abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, a marked change in bowel habit, fever or worsening weakness. Seek urgent help for severe pain, a swollen abdomen, inability to keep fluids down, fainting or heavy bleeding.

Ask which reviews and tests are planned, what symptoms matter most, when results will be discussed, and who to call outside clinic hours. Ask about managing bowel changes, diet, exercise and returning to work or usual activities.