Your Visit to the Childhood Cancer Survivors Center

• What happens during the first appointment?
• What tests will you perform?
• What should I bring to this appointment?
• How do I get to the clinic?
• How long will the appointment last?
• If you make referrals to other specialists, when can I schedule these appointments?
• After the initial visit, how often will I need to come to the clinic?
• Will insurance cover the cost of the visit?

Q. What happens during the first appointment?
A. During the first clinic appointment, our experts will complete a thorough medical history and physical exam. The visit may include compiling a list of previous treatments as well as completing screenings for conditions common among childhood cancer survivors. We will then discuss possible long-term side effects the patient may experience. If necessary, we can refer him or her to specialists for further evaluation and/or treatment.

Q. What tests will you perform?
A. Our physicians may perform the following tests and screenings:

• Echocardiogram: To examine the heart for signs of dysfunction
• Blood work: To detect issues with hormones, kidneys, and the liver
• Mammograms: To screen for early breast cancer
• X-rays, CT scans, and MRI: To screen for other second cancers
• Bone density exam: To screen for early bone loss or development of osteoporosis
• Hearing: To test for hearing loss

Q. What should I bring to this appointment?
A. All patients of the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital must bring the following:

• Social security number
• Insurance card, including the insurer's name and address, and the patient's policy number
• Cash, check, or major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express) to pay for services not covered by insurance
• List of current medications
• Any medical summary that you may have
• Primary care physician information--including name, address, and phone number
• If you were not treated at the University of Chicago Medical Center, please bring a copy of medical records and cancer treatment record.

Q. How do I get to the clinic?
A. Our clinic is conveniently located on the 3rd floor of the Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine (DCAM). The DCAM is located at 5758 S. Maryland Avenue. For more specific directions, please visit our directions page.

Q. How long will the appointment last?
A. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment to allow time to park and register. (Valet parking is highly recommended). The time you spend in our clinic will probably be one to two hours. If you need to have blood work or other tests done, please plan for three to four hours.

Q. If you make referrals to other specialists, when can I schedule these appointments?
A. Our goal for your visit to the University of Chicago Childhood Cancer Survivors Center is to have a comprehensive evaluation in as few visits as possible--ideally in just one visit. Our specialists work together so that you can see more than one expert in a day. In the event, that you need to see a specialist after your first visit, our nurse practitioner will help with coordinating and scheduling that visit.

Q. After the initial visit, how often will I need to come to the clinic?
A. Although it depends on your previous cancer and therapy, how long you are off therapy, and your current health issues, most likely we will see you in our center every six months to one year.

Q. Will insurance cover the cost of the visit?
A. Depending on your coverage, in most cases the answer is "yes." Even so, before your appointment, please check with your insurance company to see if you are covered for services at the University of Chicago Medical Center.