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Talking About Care From Health Clinics

Hi there, I'm Kira Shepherd. When my kids were little, I spent a lot of time at the health care clinic. Children need an exam when they hurt themselves or run a high fever. Any other distressing symptoms are also best explored by a qualified physician. Thankfully, my local health care clinic always helped reassure me that the kids were healthy and developing well. I will share information about common diagnostic procedures and treatments performed at health care clinics. I will talk about alternatives, like going to the hospital or treating at home. My site will cover common symptoms and complications caused by a wide range of illness and injuries. Please visit my site often to learn more information. Thank you.

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Talking About Care From Health Clinics

3 Things To Know About Being In Remission After A Fight With Cancer

by Jack Long

Cancer is a disease that affects many families in the U.S., and there is currently no cure for it; however, there are many types of treatment options. If you recently completed treatment for breast cancer, the best news you can hear is that you are in remission. Being in remission is good news, yet there are several things you should understand about this term.

What Does Remission Mean?

After completing all the steps your oncologist recommends for treating your breast cancer, he or she will conduct a follow-up visit to determine how well your body responded to the treatment. If your body no longer contains visible signs of cancerous cells, your doctor will tell you that your body is cancer-free. This means that the treatment options worked well, but it does not necessary give you a clear bill of health forever.

When you are in remission, it simply means that you are currently cancer-free. Cancer, however, can return, unfortunately. The fact is that oncologists are not able to predict if it will or not. Because of this, you will be required to visit your oncologist regularly for checkups.

Is There A Point Where You Will Be Safe From Cancer?

Regular checkups are vital for any cancer survivor for several reasons, but the main reason is simply to keep an eye on your health. If cancer does return, your doctor is likely to detect it at an early stage through your regular visits. The bad news is that there is a chance your cancer will return, but the good news is that it usually returns within five years if it comes back. This is why being able to stay in remission for five years is one goal you and your doctor may have. 

What Will Your Checkups Consist Of?

A typical checkup, while you are in remission, may consist of several things, including:

  • Physical examination – This simply involves the doctor checking your vital signs, asking you questions, and discussing your current state of health.
  • Imaging tests – Your visits may involve getting x-rays, CT scans, or other types of tests that allow your doctor to view the inside of your body.
  • Blood tests – Keeping an eye on your blood count is also common because doctors can detect problems when blood levels are off.
  • Endoscopy – Sometimes doctors perform endoscopies of patients to see internal parts of the person's body.

Being in remission is the best place to be after fighting cancer. If you have any questions about your cancer or your health, you can schedule a visit with an oncologist (such as one from Sturdy Memorial Hospital) in your area.

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