A group of oncologists is creating survivor plans to help cancer survivors get the follow-up care they'll need for the rest of their lives. The plans are a response to a 2005 alert from the Institute of Medicine that cancer survivors' special health needs aren't being met.

Each plan is a checklist that cancer survivors can give to future physicians. Included on the checklist are what checkups to get and when, what adverse reactions their cancer treatment may trigger, and what new signs and symptoms to look for.

So far, the American Society of Clinical Oncology's Web site (http://www.asco. org) has survivor plans for colorectal and breast cancer posted on it. A survivor plan for lung cancer is due next. Plans for other leading cancers are also coming, along with a general plan for less-common cancers.