Colorectal Survivor Clinic

A cancer survivor is any one with cancer, from the time of diagnosis and treatment through the remaining years of life. You are finished with your active cancer treatment and moving to the next phase of your life and next phase of your care. You may find your life returns to what you knew before you had cancer. Or, you may find that physical, psychosocial or financial concerns continue because of earlier treatments. Patients often call this the new normal.

MD Anderson’s Colorectal Survivorship Clinic is here to help you develop a plan for your ongoing health care.You will receive care based on specific guidelines designed for survivors just like you who have been treated at MD Anderson. Our team works closely with specialized health care providers to monitor and manage late effects related to cancer and its therapies.The clinic addresses your physical and psychosocial care. We will:

Review your recent medical history and perform a physical examination
Conduct a complete assessment to detect cancer recurrence or progression
Identify and help manage side effects of cancer and treatment
Develop a treatment summary and follow-up care plan
Provide education and referrals related to:
- Cancer screening examinations
- Health behaviors that reduce cancer risk
- MD Anderson or community survivorship resources

Your survivorship health care team will include physicians, advanced practice nurses and patient service coordinators, who work closely with the other specialized doctors and nurses who treated you at MD Anderson. For your non-cancer check-up, we will communicate with your primary care provider or oncologist in your community and expect you to follow up regularly with that provider.

Side Effects & Symptoms

The survivorship clinic specializes in identifying and treating late effects, which are physical changes that will depend on your cancer type and treatment.
Side effects and symptoms you may experience include:

Neuropathy
Uncontrolled bowel movements that are not managed by current treatment
Lymphedema
Sexual health issues

Remember, it is important to communicate with your health care team through every stage of your cancer experience.The transplant process does not end when you leave the hospital or when you return to your local doctor. Some survivors need more information and use more support services than others use, depending upon their diagnosis and treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your health care team.