The value of gynecologic cancer follow-up: evidence-based ignorance?

Summary: For women who have completed treatment for endometrial or ovarian cancer, regular hospital check-ups have long been the standard routine. Doctors and patients alike have assumed that these frequent visits are necessary to catch the cancer early if it returns and to extend survival. However, a comprehensive review of medical evidence challenges this long-held belief. The study found that routine hospital follow-ups do not actually improve survival rates. Furthermore, the methods used often vary wildly between hospitals and can be costly without adding clear value to the patient's quality of life. The authors suggest that instead of hunting for a relapse that may not be curable, follow-up care should be redesigned to focus on what truly matters to patients: managing side effects, reducing costs, and improving daily quality of life.