Completion of Breast Cancer Treatment – What Next?
After months or years of hardship many women are relieved to be finished with treatment for breast cancer. But the nature of cancer is such that it can loom over you, because of uncertainty of whether it may return when you drop your guard.
Often treatments for breast cancer can be invasive, including surgeries like mastectomy (removal of breast) and lymph node removal and extensive painful radiotherapy and chemotherapy procedures. During these grueling procedures you experience many side effects, which are expected during such intense procedures, but are often not prepared for the lingering long term side effects that last long beyond the period of treatment.
Some of these side effects may begin to appear soon after completion of the treatment while others may emerge months or years after cessation of treatment. These are often referred to as long term side effects, and can manifest as both physical and emotional changes.
A few of these short-term and long-term changes include menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, joint pain, fatigue, mood changes, depression and anxiety, vaginal dryness and a lowered sex drive. However, these can often be managed with medications or other options.
Learning to live with breast cancer isn’t easy and can’t just be swept under the rug, to keep the uncertainty at bay it essential to have a good follow up schedule and an open line of communication with your doctor.
What Is Follow-Up care?
To keep the side effects and possibility of recurrence to the minimum, it is important to have a follow-up schedule. The schedule for your follow up is dependent on many factors, including the type of breast cancer you had, the stage at which it was discovered (how advanced it was) and how it was treated.
Typically follow-up consists of:
Doctor visits:
After you’ve finished you treatments, your doctor will schedule follow up visits at the beginning. You will need a clinical examination every 6 months for the first 5 years. The Longer you have been free of cancer the less frequent your appointments get; after about 5 years of being cancer-free you may have appointments with your doctor about once a year.
Mammograms:
A mammogram is essential for the opposite breast or the same breast if you have had a breast conservation surgery. This is useful in detecting any recurrences and lead to early detection.
Pelvic exams:
Some of the hormone medication that you may be taking can increase your risk for uterine cancer, and thus it is vital that you have pelvic examination every year. This risk is higher in women who have already undergone menopause or have a family history. Notify your doctor at the earliest if you have any unusual bleeding or spotting after menopause or change in your periods or spotting between your periods if you are premenopausal. There is no need to panic because these symptoms can be caused by something that isn’t cancer, but it is wise to stay vigilant in these matters.
Bone density tests:
For some women, menopause can occur as a result of the treatment, this can have some negative effects on your bone health. Health of bone and bone density can also be affected by some medications used in the treatment of early stage breast cancer. To help keep an eye on these matters your doctor may recommend you to have bone density testing, this can help measure the health and integrity of your bone.
Other tests:
During routine check-ups, if there are symptoms or any finding during a physical exam that suggest your cancer may have come back, other test may be ordered. This can include, blood tests, bone scans, x-rays of the chest, CT scans, MRI scans or biopsy. This is done to identify any tumour markers or aberrant growths.
While dealing with breast cancer may have been exhausting both emotionally and physically, with proper follow-up, vigilance and access to good healthcare – you can live a good life. Speak to your doctor and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Know the cancer – Breast cancer treatment
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