Living as a breast cancer survivor
Most breast cancer cases are highly treatable, especially when a doctor diagnoses them at an early stage.
Many people survive for years or even decades after getting a breast cancer diagnosis and receiving treatment. Typically, the earlier a doctor diagnoses and treats the condition, the better a person’s outlook.Regular follow-up appointments are important for monitoring a person’s health after breast cancer treatment.
Follow-up care after breast cancer treatment
After receiving treatment for breast cancer, a person should attend regular follow-up appointments to allow their doctor to:
monitor their recovery
check for signs that the cancer has returned or started to grow again
identify and manage side effects from treatments
Their doctor will ask them about their health and conduct physical exams to check for treatment side effects or signs that the cancer has returned or started to grow. They may order blood tests, imaging tests, or other tests if necessary.
Checking for cancer recurrence and growth
Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database classifies breast cancer into three stages:
Localized: This means that the cancer does not appear to have spread outside of the breast.
Regional: This means that the cancer has spread from the breast to nearby lymph nodes or structures.
Distant: The means that the cancer has spread from the breast to distant parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, or lungs.
Most cases of localized and regional breast cancer are curable with treatment. In some cases, however, breast cancer returns after initial treatment. This is known as breast cancer recurrence.
If breast cancer spreads to distant organs, it is not curable. That said, treatment can help slow the growth of tumors and sometimes shrink them. Tumors may start to grow again if the treatment stops working.
Doctors may prescribe long-term medication and recommend lifestyle changes to help reduce the risk of cancer recurrence or growth.
If someone experiences cancer recurrence or tumors start to grow again, their doctor can help them understand their treatment options. Early diagnosis and treatment are important.
Managing treatment side effects
Breast cancer treatments can cause a variety of side effects. Some side effects may be short-lived and resolve on their own. Others may require treatment to manage.
For example, a person’s doctor may:
adjust their medication regimen if they develop side effects from medication
refer them to a physical or occupational therapist if their physical function declines after treatment
recommend breast reconstruction surgery if they are dissatisfied with the shape or look of their breast following breast cancer surgery
Breast cancer and cancer treatments may also affect a person’s mental health. If they are experiencing mental health challenges, their doctor may prescribe medication, counseling, or a combination of both.
A person should let their doctor know about any changes in their physical or mental health during follow-up appointments, even if they are not certain that the changes are related to breast cancer or cancer treatments. Some treatment side effects may take months or years to appear.
Can breast cancer survivors live long lives?
Many people with breast cancer live for decades following diagnosis and treatment. According to a 2019–2020 report from the American Cancer Society, the 15-year relative survival rate for people with breast cancer is 80%.
Long-term survival rates are much lower for distant breast cancer than for localized and regional breast cancer. According to the NCI, under 15% of people with distant breast cancer live for 10 years or longer. However, scientists are continually improving treatments for distant breast cancer.
The takeaway
Thanks to early diagnosis and treatment, many people with breast cancer can live for decades after learning that they have the condition. Survival rates are particularly high for people with localized or regional breast cancer that has not spread to distant organs. However, survival is improving for people with distant breast cancer.
Following treatment for breast cancer, it is important for survivors to attend follow-up appointments with their doctor. This allows doctors to manage potential side effects of treatment and check for signs that breast cancer has returned or started to grow again.
A person’s doctor may also share tips for reducing their risk of recurrence and improving their overall outlook through lifestyle changes. - Source: MedicalNewsToday
Did you know?
Researchers have discovered a new type of immunotherapy that could stop breast cancer from growing and spreading.
STATS
Breast cancer caused 670 000 deaths globally in 2022.
Roughly half of all breast cancers occur in women with no specific risk factors other than sex and age.
Breast cancer was the most common cancer in women in 157 countries out of 185 in 2022.
Breast cancer occurs in every country in the world.
Approximately 0.5–1% of breast cancers occur in men.