“How can I ensure no other cancer cells are present in my body?”

Don't worry about it as that doesn't travel anywhere.

The best way to check for distant metastases is a separate scan called a PET-CT, which helps detect the presence of cancer cells throughout the body. Periodic surveillance will be necessary, so be sure to keep your appointments and follow the recommendations of your oncologist. Best of luck.


Sean L. Johnston, MD, PhD

Thank you for your question and best of luck with your challenge. That's the proverbial $64K question. After chemo and/or other therapy, you'll under go follow up MRIs and/or CT scat and/or PET-CT. Other than that, there are no definitive blood tests or any other method that I know of to monitor that. So, in addition to followup imaging, I'd recommend prayer.

Best of luck and all the best.

You can’t. Cancer cells are in everyone’s body. It’s your body’s ability to keep the overgrowth in check that keeps you well. Once you have one cancer you are at risk to form other types. The best thing you can do is alter your diet, reduce sugar, reduce meat, increase plant based foods, meditate and stay vigilant about changes. Go for your regular check ups. Think positively. Enjoy your life. Cancer is not a death sentence, just a disease to be managed. Educate yourself about proton therapy if you haven’t already, just in case....

Unfortunately, my answer may surprise many. Each day we form small very insignificant numbers of cells which are either pre-cancerous or will become cancerous at some point. Our immune system usually takes care of these cells, which are not functioning normally. These immune cells are called killer T cells. They are an important part of maintaining our health and keeping us from having cancer. If our immune system is compromised with respect to these types of cells, we very likely will come down with a form of cancer of some type which will be able to thrive and be our undoing.