Completing treatment can be both stressful and exciting. You will be relieved to finish treatment, yet it is hard not to worry about cancer coming back. (When cancer returns, it is called recurrence.) This is a very common concern among those who have had cancer.
 

It may take a while before your confidence in your own recovery begins to feel real and your fears are somewhat relieved. You can learn more about what to look for and how to learn to live with the possibility of cancer coming back in our document, Living with Uncertainty: The Fear of Cancer Recurrence, available at 1-800-227-2345.
 

Follow-up care
 

After your treatment is over, it is very important to keep all follow-up appointments. Doctor visits are often scheduled every 3 to 6 months for at least 5 years. During these visits, your doctor will ask about symptoms and do a physical exam, which includes an exam of the anus. Blood tests and imaging studies such as CT scans or x-rays may also be ordered.
 

Follow-up is needed to see if the cancer has come back, as well as to look for possible side effects of certain treatments. This is the time for you to ask your health care team any questions you need answered and to discuss any concerns you might have.
 

Almost any cancer treatment can have side effects. Some side effects may occur during therapy. Other side effects may not show up until several years following treatment. Some may last for a few weeks to several months, but others can be permanent. Don’t hesitate to tell your cancer care team about any symptoms or side effects that bother you so they can help you manage them.
 

It is also important to keep medical insurance. Even though no one wants to think of their cancer coming back, it is always a possibility. If it happens, the last thing you want is to have to worry about paying for treatment. Should your cancer come back our document, When Your Cancer Comes Back: Cancer Recurrence gives you information on how to manage and cope with this phase of your treatment. You can get this document by calling 1-800-227-2345.
 

For patients with colostomies
 

Permanent colostomies are rarely needed now in the treatment of anal cancer. If you have a colostomy, follow-up is an important concern. You may feel worried or isolated from normal activities. A wound, ostomy, continence nurse (WOCN) or enterostomal therapist (a health care professional trained to help people with their colostomies) can teach you about the care of your colostomy. You can also ask the American Cancer Society about programs offering information and support in your area. For more information on colostomies, refer to our document, Colostomy: A Guide.
 

Seeing a new doctor
 

At some point after your cancer treatment, you may find yourself in the office of a new doctor. Your original doctor may have moved or retired, or you may have moved or changed doctors for some reason. It is important that you be able to give your new doctor the exact details of your diagnosis and treatment. Make sure you have the following information handy:

• a copy of your pathology report from any biopsy or surgery
• if you had surgery, a copy of your operative report
• if you were hospitalized, a copy of the discharge summary that every doctor must prepare when patients are sent home from the hospital
• if you were treated with radiation, a copy of the treatment summary
• finally, since some drugs can have long-term side effects, a list of your drugs, their doses, and when you took them

Lifestyle changes to consider during and after treatment
 

Having cancer and dealing with treatment can be time-consuming and emotionally draining, but it can also be a time to look at your life in new ways. Maybe you are thinking about how to improve your health over the long term. Some people even begin this process during cancer treatment.
 

Make healthier choices
 

Think about your life before you learned you had cancer. Were there things you did that might have made you less healthy? Maybe you drank too much alcohol, or ate more than you needed, or smoked, or didn’t exercise very often. Emotionally, maybe you kept your feelings bottled up, or maybe you let stressful situations go on too long.
 

Now is not the time to feel guilty or to blame yourself. However, you can start making changes today that can have positive effects for the rest of your life. Not only will you feel better but you will also be healthier. What better time than now to take advantage of the motivation you have as a result of going through a life-changing experience like having cancer?
 

You can start by working on those things that you feel most concerned about. Get help with those that are harder for you. For instance, if you are thinking about quitting smoking and need help, call the American Cancer Society's Quitline^® tobacco cessation program at 1-800-227-2345.
 

Diet and nutrition
 

Eating right can be a challenge for anyone, but it can get even tougher during and after cancer treatment. For instance, treatment often may change your sense of taste. Nausea can be a problem. You may lose your appetite for a while and lose weight when you don’t want to. On the other hand, some people gain weight even without eating more. This can be frustrating, too.
 

If you are losing weight or have taste problems during treatment, do the best you can with eating and remember that these problems usually improve over time. You may want to ask your cancer team for a referral to a dietitian, an expert in nutrition who can give you ideas on how to fight some of the side effects of your treatment. You may also find it helps to eat small portions every 2 to 3 hours until you feel better and can go back to a more normal schedule.
 

One of the best things you can do after treatment is to put healthy eating habits into place. You will be surprised at the long-term benefits of some simple changes, like increasing the variety of healthy foods you eat. Try to eat 5 or more servings of vegetables and fruits each day. Choose whole grain foods instead of white flour and sugars. Try to limit meats that are high in fat. Cut back on processed meats like hot dogs, bologna, and bacon. Get rid of them altogether if you can. If you drink alcohol, limit yourself to 1 or 2 drinks a day at the most. And don't forget to get some type of regular exercise. The combination of a good diet and regular exercise will help you maintain a healthy weight and keep you feeling more energetic.