What to Expect at Your First Appointment at the Cancer Survivorship Center
When you or your child become a patient at the Cincinnati Children’s Cancer Survivorship Center, you’ll be cared for by a team of experts who work together to keep you healthy.
Most patients see us once a year for a thorough check-up and consultation related to their childhood cancer treatments separate from their annual physical or wellness exams. However, you can reach out to us any time you have concerns about late effects or with questions specific to your cancer history.
Making an Appointment at the Cancer Survivorship Center
The Center accepts referrals from families and physicians. You or your child can establish care with our program if:
- You were diagnosed with pediatric cancer at least five years ago
- You completed treatment for your pediatric cancer at least two years ago
You can reach out to the Center directly and schedule an appointment online.
Before Your Visit to the Cancer Survivorship Center
If you’re new to Cincinnati Children’s or the Cancer Survivorship Center, we will help you obtain any medical records from prior treatment before the first appointment. A member of our team will work with you and, if applicable, your referring provider to obtain your detailed medical history, copies of laboratory and radiology reports, and other relevant materials.
On the Day of Your First Visit to the Cancer Survivorship Center
Arriving at Your Appointment
The Cancer Survivorship Center at Cincinnati Children’s is located at our main Burnet Campus.
Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early to find parking, walk to the Center and register for the first appointment.
During Your Appointment
Your or your child’s first appointment at the center will take about X. At the first visit, we’ll review relevant medical history, including cancer treatment history. We’ll talk about how childhood cancer—and cancer treatments—could affect you or your child in the future. This discussion will include:
- What long-term complications you or your child are at risk for, based on your cancer treatments
- What steps you can take to maintain a healthy lifestyle
- What types of testing you or your child need to screen for late effects and how often to take those tests
This information will help guide your customized survivorship care plan, which we’ll review each year at your or your child’s annual visit.
Your Annual Visit to the Cancer Survivorship Center
During the annual appointment, you can expect to spend a couple of hours at Cincinnati Children’s. Depending on your needs, your visit may include:
- Appointments with adult or pediatric providers who have expertise in certain types of cancer or specific late effects
- Cognitive testing and mental or emotional health support
- Connection to financial assistance and other resources
- Consultations with a nurse practitioner and an oncologist who specialize in caring for childhood cancer survivors
- Coordination of referrals for any additional treatments or services you may need
- Imaging and lab tests to check for early signs of certain medical conditions
- Other diagnostic procedures, such as an echocardiogram to check heart health, or pulmonary function tests to evaluate lung health
To help you minimize travel back and forth to our campus—and reduce the number of missed work or school days—we try our best to schedule all consultations, tests and appointments on the same day.
