Colorectal - information for healthcare professionals
Colorectal Cancer Follow-Up Guidelines - North
These guidelines have been developed to ensure that patients have a choice of follow-up regimens and so that patients all receive the agreed high quality surveillance test schedule. The majority of patients will follow the colorectal surveillance test schedule, unless in the “discharged back to GP care group”.
Patients will be stratified into one of the following pathways:
- Supported self-management pathway with routine surveillance and open access
- Nurse led Care (telephone, out-patient clinic)
- Complex case management (combined doctor/nurse)
- Discharged to GP care
Standard Colorectal Surveillance Test Schedule:
- CEA Blood Tests:
Need to be performed every 6 months for 3 years then annually for 2 years
- CT scan or other appropriate imaging (chest, abdomen & pelvis):
2 required in 3 years – first at 1 year and the second at 2.5 years
- Colonoscopy:
Required at 1 year and then 3 years later (year 4) (BSG guidelines follow-up cancer) then repeated every 5 years until/at 75 (NDHT colorectal cancer guideline).
Devon Formulary
The Devon Formulary is produced in collaboration with NHS Devon CCG, the Royale Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, and Livewell Southwest. Promoting safe, effective, and economic prescribing in primary and secondary care. Providing guidance on locally recommended drug choices.