Detecting Recurrent Colorectal Cancer

After your first course of colorectal cancer treatment, it is very important to keep all scheduled follow-up appointments with your doctor. People who have had colorectal cancer in the past may be at a higher risk of developing another colorectal cancer at a different location. The main goal of follow-up care is to make sure the cancer does not return (cancer that does return is called “recurrent” by doctors), and to catch it early if it does. The earlier you catch recurrent colorectal cancer, the greater your chances of being sent back into remission. Stay in touch with your doctor and keep him or her informed about any changes in your body.

Follow-up care for colorectal cancer is important. Your cancer may never return, but it is better to be on the safe side. If your cancer does return, you will want to catch it as early as possible to have the best chance of beating the disease again.

For more information on symptoms of recurrent cancer and the simple tests and procedures used to screen for a colorectal cancer recurrence, please click here to learn more about Colorectal Cancer.