Need post op cervical cancer plan advice fast please!

Hi, as my name says, we are in the Air Force. I am 3 weeks post op of the 2nd (lymph node) surgery and thankfully they found it was just stage 1 and I'm in remission. We are to get orders to Germany as soon as next week and we are going to say no if they don't have a GYN oncologist I can go to. My question is, for the follow up (every 3 months, etc) apts for those that are in remission for cervical - do you go to a GYN oncologist for those or a regular GYN? If a regular GYN will work, they have those on base and it won't be an issue. I want to do whats best for my health first, but also don't want to take away the experience of living in Europe for 2 years if I don't have to.

Thanks!!!!

I'm in the US....and as far as I know, they recommend going to an oncologist for follow-ups, for years.

The first 2 years post diagnosis carry the highest risk of recurrence. Those are the years you want someone who is trained in gyn/oncology to do your exams. Paps (or vaginal cuff scrapes) don't always pick up on the cells. this is when you need a trained eye to detect and treat anything that may be unusual.

Personally I wouldn't risk the first 2 years of check ups with a regular ob/gyn. Maybe the last 3 years, but not the first 2.

Yes, the first two years are the most important as this is when the chance of recurrence is the most likely. And, experience with the physical exam is key. I saw my gyn/onc for the first five years and am still seeing the NP there for my annual exams.

My DH is retired Army and suggested perhaps it would be possible for you to get a Space Available flight back to the states for your follow-ups, if there isn't a gyn/onc where you'd be stationed. Also, could you see a gyn/onc off base? Perhaps if they don't have a gyn/onc on base, they already have something in place for cases like these.

As you said, your health is the most important thing. Fingers crossed it works so you can have both!

I concur, a Gyno Onc is very important during the first two years post initial treatment!

Hi Sweetie,

I think it generally is best to have a gyn/onc follow one for the first two years post op. That said, I actually saw my gyn for all those 5 years post op visits but of course knowing I could see my gyn/onc if/whenever I wanted to. It was my gyn/onc who said he worked regularly with my gyn and considered it fine if my gyn followed me but off course said his door was always open for me.

Hope things work out for you and perhaps to not lose the possible European experience you could consider the "off base" route or perhaps the "space availble" flights. When we were foreign service, there were military overseas posts with major medical facilities where we would medivac seriously ill personnel ; I would assumed they had specialists like gyn/onc too. I know many bases have closed but if a base closer than US from our proposed assignment exists, perhaps that could be another route - travel to that base again on spaced available basis.
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thanks everyone. I am confused b/c when I was still in the hospital I asked my GYN ONC and he said I could go to a regular GYN once we move (but he wants me to come to him for the next 6 months)...I found it odd that a GYN ONC would suggest that. I believe the military will end up telling us if we can go (and have access to GYN ONC) or if we have to stay stateside. I don't mind going to a GYN as long as I have an ONC in country I can go to - but would rather a GYN ONC like you all have mentioned I'll let you know what happens! I am starting the paper work to get a special code that tells my condition so I can only be stationed where I have the right doctors

my oncologist said i could do my follow up with my regular gyno since i lived in a different town. So I had my 3month and 6 month paps and were told they were fine. I was having major pain urinating though and they could never figure it out...so took myself to the emergency room...this is 7 months after hysterectomy...and the ct showed three tumors in my pelvis and one was pushing on the bladder, hence all my pain. Went back to the oncologist and she could feel the tumor on the other side of the vaginal cuff during exam. Makes me wonder why my regular gyno didnt feel it....kicking myself for not doing my follow up with the oncologist. Now I am doing chemo to try to get rid of it.