Rehabilitation and aftercare
Following treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare are key components of cancer care, enabling you to resume your daily and professional life as quickly as possible, to detect any potential recurrence of the disease at an early stage – even before symptoms appear – or to treat any associated or secondary conditions. Furthermore, aftercare supports patients in coping with physical, emotional and social challenges.
Aftercare is a long-term process that extends far beyond the actual cancer treatment. It combines medical monitoring with personal support and helps you to gain confidence, detect relapses early and, step by step, find your way back to a stable life after the illness.
Organisation and collaboration among doctors
If you are no longer under the care of the urologist who treated you during your therapy, you should choose a doctor for your follow-up care with whom you have a relationship of trust and who, if possible, specialises in the care of prostate cancer patients. This doctor will coordinate all the information and keep track of your entire treatment.
It is also important that all medical records are complete. These include doctors’ reports, laboratory results and imaging findings. As follow-up care often continues for many years, it may be useful to keep your own records or maintain a follow-up care log in which all appointments and results are documented.
Regular check-ups and personalised care
Once treatment has been completed, regular follow-up appointments are required initially. Over time, the intervals between appointments will become longer, provided there are no signs of the condition returning. It is essential that you attend these appointments reliably.
During the check-ups, your urologist will ask about your current well-being and any changes since your last appointment. Physical examinations will also be carried out. Personal preferences and life circumstances also play an important role, so that aftercare can be tailored to your individual needs.
Support in daily life and rehabilitation
Aftercare involves not only medical check-ups but also advice on further support services. These include physical, vocational and social rehabilitation measures, as well as support for mental health issues. Where necessary, it may be advisable to seek psychosocial or psycho-oncological support.
The aim is to improve quality of life as much as possible and to help those affected return to their daily lives and, where appropriate, to work.