What records does a Chinese follow-up team need from your original treatment?
When you move your follow-up care to China, the receiving clinicians cannot rely on memory or a brief summary. They need the actual documents that define your cancer and what was done. The most important items are your original biopsy and surgical pathology reports, including hormone receptor status (ER, PR) and HER2 results. These determine whether endocrine therapy or HER2-directed therapy was indicated and whether it should continue. A pathology report that only says 'breast cancer' without receptor details leaves the receiving team unable to judge whether your current or planned treatment matches your tumour biology.
Your systemic therapy history matters just as much. This includes the names of chemotherapy drugs, the number of cycles completed, any endocrine therapy and its duration, and any targeted or immune therapy. If you received radiation, the treatment area and total dose should be documented. For surgery, the operative report should state whether you had breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy, what was done with the axillary lymph nodes, and whether reconstruction was performed. Breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy remove different amounts of breast tissue, and reconstruction is a separate discussion. The receiving team needs to know exactly what was removed and what was rebuilt, because this affects surveillance imaging and any future surgical decisions.
Ask your original hospital for a structured discharge summary or treatment summary if one exists. If not, request copies of the key reports and a chronological list of treatments with dates. Bring these in English or arrange a certified translation. A Chinese oncology team can work with English documents, but translated key reports reduce misunderstanding. If some records are missing, tell the receiving team what is unavailable rather than waiting indefinitely. They can advise whether the gap matters for your follow-up plan.
How do you ask about follow-up intervals and tests without assuming a standard schedule?
Follow-up schedules after breast cancer vary by guideline, by recurrence risk, and by the treatments you received. There is no single China-wide interval. When you contact a hospital, ask a specific question: 'Given my stage, receptor status, and treatment history, what follow-up schedule would you recommend, and what would you change if my risk factors were different?' This invites the clinician to explain their reasoning rather than simply confirm a generic plan.
Ask which tests they propose and why. Common follow-up may include clinical breast examination, mammography, and sometimes breast ultrasound or other imaging. Blood tests such as tumour markers are not routine for every patient and their role should be explained. If you have symptoms such as bone pain, persistent cough, or new lumps, those require assessment rather than waiting for a scheduled visit. The receiving team should know your symptom history and decide whether any urgent evaluation is needed before you travel.
Do not assume that a test done in your home country will be accepted without review. Imaging performed elsewhere may need to be repeated or compared with prior studies. Ask whether the hospital can review your existing images or whether new imaging is required. If new imaging is needed, ask how the results will be shared with you and with your original clinicians. This is a practical coordination question, not a clinical one, but it affects how smoothly your follow-up proceeds.
What should you ask about continuing endocrine therapy or other long-term medication?
Many breast cancers require endocrine therapy for five to ten years, and some patients continue HER2-directed therapy or bone-modifying agents. If you are already taking these medicines, the receiving team needs to know the exact drug, dose, start date, and any side effects. They also need to know whether you have any remaining supply and how you obtain refills in China. Do not stop or change any medication on your own. Ask the receiving clinician to confirm whether the same drug or an equivalent is available, and whether any monitoring tests are needed before continuing.
If you are considering a switch to a different endocrine agent, that is a clinical decision for the treating team. Ask what evidence they would use to recommend a change and what the alternatives are. If you have had adverse effects, describe them specifically. The receiving team may adjust the plan, but they need your full history to do so safely. If your original oncologist recommended a specific duration of therapy, share that recommendation in writing. The Chinese team can then discuss whether they agree or whether they would modify it based on their assessment.
For patients who received chemotherapy, ask whether any long-term monitoring for cardiac or bone health is needed. Some chemotherapy drugs and endocrine therapies can affect the heart or bone density over time. The receiving team should decide whether you need echocardiography, bone density testing, or other assessments. Do not order these tests yourself; ask the clinician what they recommend for your situation.
How do you handle reconstruction and surgical follow-up questions?
If you had breast reconstruction, whether immediate or delayed, the receiving team needs the operative details. This includes the type of reconstruction (implant, tissue flap, or other), the date, and any complications. Reconstruction is a separate discussion from cancer removal, and follow-up for reconstruction may involve different specialists. Ask whether the hospital has a plastic surgeon or breast surgeon who can assess your reconstruction and whether any surveillance imaging is modified because of it.
If you are considering revision or a new reconstruction in China, that is a new surgical decision. The receiving team will need to assess your current anatomy, your cancer history, and your goals. They will also need to know whether you have had radiation, because this affects healing and surgical options. Do not assume that a reconstruction plan from your home country can be copied directly. Ask the surgeon what they would recommend after reviewing your records and examining you.
For patients who had breast-conserving surgery, ask whether surveillance mammography should be scheduled differently from someone who had a mastectomy. The receiving team will consider your surgical history and any radiation you received. If you notice a change in the treated breast or the reconstructed breast, report it promptly. Do not wait for a routine appointment if you have a new lump, skin change, or persistent pain.
What coordination questions matter when you are planning care in China?
Before you travel, ask the hospital how they will communicate with you and with your original clinicians. Will they provide written reports in English? How will they share imaging and pathology results? If you need a copy of your records for your home team, how do you request it? These questions help you avoid gaps in communication. If you use a coordination service, clarify what they will and will not do. ChinaSpecialistCare provides non-clinical coordination, such as appointment scheduling and interpretation, but clinical decisions belong to the treating hospital.
Ask about the practical steps for your first visit. What documents should you bring? Do you need to arrive early for registration? Will an interpreter be available, or should you arrange one? If you need to stay in China for an extended period, ask for guidance on accommodation and local support. These are logistical questions, but they affect your ability to focus on your health. If you are considering a records-based opinion before travelling, ask what the hospital needs to provide that opinion and whether it can be done remotely.
One common question is whether you can have a proxy consultation first. A proxy consultation is optional and not a prerequisite for every appointment. It may be useful if you want a specialist to review your records before you decide to travel. However, it does not replace an in-person assessment. The hospital decides whether to accept you for follow-up care after reviewing your records and, if needed, seeing you in person.
What is the next step if you want to arrange follow-up in China?
Start by gathering your key records: pathology reports with receptor status, treatment summaries, operative reports, and a list of current medications. Then contact a hospital or a coordination service with a brief summary of your situation and your main question. You do not need to send your entire medical archive at first contact. A short summary helps the team identify what additional information is needed and suggest the relevant next step.
If you are unsure which hospital or specialist to approach, you can request a free initial case review. This is a non-clinical check of your available records and your question. It is not a diagnosis or a promise of acceptance. If you want a specialist opinion before travelling, you can ask about a proxy consultation, but it is optional. The hospital will decide whether it can provide follow-up care after reviewing your records. For urgent symptoms, seek local medical care first rather than delaying for an overseas enquiry.
Sources & scope of this guide
References and official service information relevant to this guide.
This is general planning information and has not been individually reviewed by a doctor. Medical decisions and personal treatment advice come from your treating clinicians.