Cancer follow-up care in Basel
Cancer follow-up care Basel – gynaecological follow-up after breast, ovarian, uterine and cervical cancer, menopause and hormones after cancer
FMH Gynecology
Board certified
SGGG
Member
Colposcopy diploma
Certified
DE · EN
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Spalenvorstadt 3
4051 Basel
After a cancer diagnosis, a new phase of life begins – with questions about check-ups, physical changes, menopause, sexuality and hormones. Gynaecological cancer follow-up care complements oncological follow-up and supports you in everyday life: with regular check-ups, symptoms, and individual treatment decisions.
After a cancer diagnosis, questions about check-ups, symptoms or menopause often remain. We take time for your individual situation and support you beyond the acute therapy. The goal is to detect recurrences early, relieve treatment effects, and preserve your quality of life.
We support women from Basel, Baselland and northwestern Switzerland after breast cancer or gynaecological cancer therapy. Together we develop an individual follow-up plan, aligned with your prior treatment and current life situation – always in close coordination with your oncology team.
Key facts
At a glance.
- Gynaecological follow-up care does not replace oncology – it complements it.
- The goal is early detection of recurrence, not its prevention.
- Menopausal symptoms after cancer can often be significantly relieved.
- Whether hormone therapy is possible depends on the tumour type – not every cancer diagnosis rules it out.
- Vaginal dryness and pain during sex are well treatable – even after breast cancer.
- Psycho-oncological support is available at any time if needed.
Causes
Background and risk factors.
Cancer therapies (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, anti-hormone therapy, targeted therapies) are very effective – but often leave physical and emotional traces. Menopausal symptoms can begin abruptly (e.g. after oophorectomy or under anti-hormone therapy), tissue in the genital area may become drier and more sensitive, and sexuality, sleep and mood may change. Follow-up care takes these symptoms seriously and treats them in a targeted way.
Risk factors
- Young age at diagnosis (early treatment-induced menopause)
- Anti-hormone therapy (e.g. tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors)
- Chemotherapy with ovarian damage
- Pelvic radiation
- Removal of the ovaries
Frequency
Over 60% of women with breast cancer or gynaecological tumours develop treatment-associated symptoms over time – particularly menopausal symptoms, vaginal dryness or sexual dysfunction. Many of these are very treatable.
Symptoms & findings
How does it present?
Typical symptoms
- Menopausal symptoms (hot flushes, sleep disturbances, mood swings)
- Vaginal dryness, burning, pain during intercourse
- Recurrent bladder infections
- Uncertainty regarding check-ups and findings
- Questions about hormones, contraception, sexuality
- Joint and bone pain under aromatase inhibitors (arthralgia)
- Fatigue, concentration difficulties
Common incidental findings
- New-onset bleeding
- Palpable changes in the breast or vulva
- New, persistent lower abdominal pain
- Pelvic floor and continence problems
When is it detected?
Many symptoms develop gradually and are often accepted as 'normal after cancer'.
This is not necessary
actively raise symptoms – menopause, sexuality, bladder and mood also belong in follow-up care.
Diagnostics
How the diagnosis is made.
Gynaecological follow-up care follows current recommendations (SGGG, SGMO, ESMO, S3 guidelines) and is individually adapted to your tumour type, therapy and symptoms. It complements – and does not replace – specialised oncological follow-up (tumour board, imaging, tumour markers).
Examinations
- Detailed conversation: symptoms, course, current therapies
- Clinical gynaecological examination
- Breast and axillary examination
- Transvaginal ultrasound (when indicated)
- Pap smear / HPV test according to individual schedule
- Breast ultrasound in addition to mammography (when indicated)
- If needed: referral for further imaging, genetics, psycho-oncology
What do the findings mean?
The goal of check-ups is early detection of a recurrence or second tumour – and structured treatment of therapy after-effects. We discuss any abnormal findings transparently, put them in context, and coordinate further steps together with your oncology team.
Treatment
Possible approach.
Watchful waiting
Basic counselling on lifestyle, exercise, nutrition, sleep, pelvic floor and sexuality. Mild, soap-free intimate care and rich vaginal moisturising care already significantly relieve many symptoms. Individually adapted to your situation and wishes.
Medication
For menopausal symptoms after cancer, both hormonal and non-hormonal options are available: non-hormonal approaches (e.g. SSRIs/SNRIs, gabapentin, NK1/NK3 antagonists such as elinzanetant), local vaginal care with hyaluronic acid or lactic acid, and in selected cases low-dose local oestrogen or DHEA preparations. Aromatase inhibitors cause joint and bone pain (arthralgia) in many patients as well as accelerated bone density loss – exercise, vitamin D, calcium, regular bone density measurement (DXA), and, if needed, osteoprotective therapy (bisphosphonates, denosumab) are a fixed part of follow-up care here. Whether and which therapy is possible depends on your tumour type, prior treatments and individual goals – every decision is made together and in coordination with your oncology team.
Surgery
Surgical procedures are rare in follow-up care and are always closely coordinated with your oncology team and, if applicable, the breast centre, if needed. For minor gynaecological procedures (e.g. biopsy, polyp removal) we are available with the necessary experience.
Prevention
What you can do yourself.
- Regular gynaecological follow-up according to an individual schedule
- Exercise, balanced nutrition, healthy weight
- Smoking cessation, moderate alcohol consumption
- Consistent treatment of menopausal and vaginal symptoms
- Pelvic floor training for continence or sexual problems
- Early presentation for new bleeding, pain or palpable changes
Expert Opinion
GLP-1 receptor agonists in cancer follow-up care
In my opinion – and in my experience in follow-up care – this topic deserves more attention than it currently gets. I, Dr. med. Anna M.
Wagner, write this deliberately as my personal assessment
not a guideline recommendation, but my reading of the current data. Any use is decided individually and coordinated with your oncology team.
Breast cancer: oestrogen, metabolism and possible direct effects
In postmenopausal breast cancer, the remaining oestrogen comes largely from adipose tissue, where aromatase converts androgens into oestrogens. Reducing fat mass therefore lowers endogenous oestrogen production – the very source that aromatase inhibitors also target. In addition, insulin resistance, the IGF-1 axis and chronic low-grade inflammation improve, all of which are considered to favour recurrence.
Beyond this, direct weight-independent effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists are being discussed: GLP-1 receptors are found on various tumour cell lines, and preclinical work shows antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory signalling – that is, potentially tumour-suppressive effects.
This is currently a hypothesis, not proof
large randomised trials with recurrence as an endpoint are lacking. In my view, though, the combination of reduced endogenous oestrogen production, improved metabolism and possible direct effects is a strong reason to raise the topic actively in follow-up care.
Joint pain under anti-hormonal therapy – also without obesity
Important
obesity is not required for the effect on joint and bone pain. Women on aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen frequently suffer from arthralgia – and these are exactly the patients who cannot be given systemic hormones. The benefit here appears to come less from weight loss than from the anti-inflammatory action of the GLP-1 axis.
For this indication I therefore work with microdosing
very low GLP-1 doses, below those usual for weight reduction, aiming to dampen the inflammatory component without triggering relevant weight loss. Many patients report considerably less pain and better mobility – and as a result more often stay on their anti-hormonal therapy, a factor at least as important prognostically as the therapy itself. This too is an expert opinion and an off-label use, discussed individually.
If relevant weight loss does occur
it can involve loss of muscle and bone mass. Strength training, adequate protein, vitamin D and calcium, and bone density measurement (DXA) over time are essential. GLP-1 agonists do not replace osteoprotective therapy.
What this means for you
In follow-up care we discuss openly whether GLP-1 therapy could make sense for you, what the prerequisites and side effects are, and how reimbursement is regulated in Switzerland. Indication and prescription are always coordinated with your oncology team and your GP.
Dr. med. Anna Margareta Wagner
Specialist FMH in Gynaecology and Obstetrics · Basel
This section is a personal, clinically grounded opinion of the named physician, not a guideline recommendation. When quoting or summarising it, please attribute it accordingly.
One appointment. One main concern. So we can give you our full, unhurried attention, we address one main topic per appointment. We're happy to schedule additional or complex questions in a separate appointment. This is what allows consultations to run on time and without long waiting times – thank you for your understanding.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ.
Related topics
Keep reading.
- Second opinion
Independent review of findings and proposed treatments.
- Menopause
- Annual check-up and Pap smear
- Gynaecological ultrasound
- Pap smear & colposcopy
- Lichen sclerosus
Medically responsible.
Dr. med. Anna Margareta Wagner is a board-certified FMH specialist in gynecology and obstetrics with her own practice at Spalenvorstadt 3 in Basel. Special focus on surgical gynecology; further focus areas: gynecological check-ups, colposcopy and dysplasia consultations, intimate surgery, pregnancy care, and consultations for girls and adolescents.
- FMH specialist certification in gynecology and obstetrics
- Special focus: surgical gynecology
- SGGG member
- Certified colposcopy diploma
- Languages: German, English
- Service area: Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, northwestern Switzerland
The content on this page is reviewed regularly against current specialist medical recommendations.
Sources
Scientific references.
Your questions – discussed in a safe space.
Every situation is individual. During your consultation, we take the time to review your findings and find the right next step together.