Living with endometrial cancer (EC) means visiting multiple specialists, undergoing surgery and other treatments, taking multiple medications and managing test results and imaging reports. The volume of information your diagnosis and treatment will generate can be overwhelming if you don’t have a system to keep track of it all. Finding a system that works for you can help you stay on top of your paperwork, and take some of the stress out of managing your care.
The importance of keeping clear medical records
Keeping detailed health records allows you to maintain a complete overview of all aspects of your health and care. This information will help you play a more active role in your endometrial cancer journey as you navigate treatment and recovery.
These are just some of the benefits of keeping clear medical records:
- You’ll stay on top of all your upcoming appointments.
- You’ll have the contact details for your providers at your fingertips.
- You’ll have the (often long) list of your current medications ready at a moment’s notice.
- You’ll be able to look back at what happened during specific appointments.
- You’ll have an easier time staying on top of billing and insurance.
What records should you keep?
In general, most patients should keep these records:
- Up-to-date contact details and appointment times and dates for each member of your multidisciplinary healthcare team.
- A list of your current medications, including instructions for use and dosing information.
- A list of previous medications, including the dosing information and how long you took them for.
- Copies of your blood test results, imagery results and biopsy reports.
- Reports from surgeries and details of your recovery.
- Treatment summaries from radiation therapy.
- Bills and insurance documentation.
You may also want to keep:
- A clear timeline of your symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
- A symptom diary on your body’s reactions to chemotherapy, hormone therapy and radiation therapy.
- Summaries of your appointments and the information that was discussed.
Learn more about EC treatment and care
Ways to manage your medical records
Effectively managing your medical records, appointments, medication, test results and side effects requires a structured approach. Whether you choose to file hard copies, digital files, or both will depend on your preference and how easy they are for you to store and access.
Hard copies can be kept in binders, an accordion file or even a filing cabinet. Organize documents and information chronologically in alphabetized categories such as healthcare providers, symptoms, medications, treatments, test results and billing/insurance documents. Make sure you also keep an up-to-date appointment book.
Digital electronic health records are a way to streamline access to your patient records. Electronic health records compile your information from multiple providers into one place; access is via a patient portal from your computer or smartphone. You may — or may not — be able to add in your own notes. (While they sound similar, electronic medical records are slightly different: these are usually the records from just one practice.) However, digital health records are still in the early stages: not all healthcare providers are on board, and not all systems are compatible. Ask your healthcare providers what system they use and whether they recommend it.
You can also scan your medical records and create your own filing system of digital folders. If you store these on your computer, make sure to back them up in case your computer becomes damaged.
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