Life after treatment for breast cancer

For most people, the cancer experience doesn’t end on the last day of treatment. Life after cancer treatment can present its own challenges. You may have mixed feelings when treatment ends, and  worry that every ache and pain means the cancer is coming back.

Some people say that they feel pressure to return to “normal life”. It is important to allow  yourself time to adjust to the physical and emotional changes, and establish a new daily routine at  your own pace. Your family and friends may also need time to adjust.

Cancer Council 13 11 20 can help you connect with other people who have had cancer, and provide you with information about the emotional and practical aspects of living well after cancer.

For more on this, see Living well after cancer.

Learn more about:

• Follow-up appointments
• Dealing with feelings of sadness
• Looking after yourself
• If breast cancer returns

Follow-up appointments

After your treatment, you will have regular appointments with your cancer specialist and GP to monitor your health. This is known as shared care.

Your doctors will see how you are going on hormone therapy (if this is part of your treatment), help manage any long-term side effects such as lymphoedema, peripheral neuropathy or heart issues, and check that the cancer hasn’t come back or spread. During these check-ups, you will usually have a physical examination.

How often you have check-ups

Check-ups after breast cancer treatment are likely to happen every 3–6 months for two years. They will become less frequent after that if you have no further problems.

What happens at check-ups

You are likely to have a mammogram and, if necessary, an ultrasound every year. You won’t need a mammogram if you’ve had a double mastectomy. If there is a concern the cancer may have come back, you may have a bone scan and a CT, PET or MRI scan. After five years with no recurrence, women aged between 50 and 74 can continue to have a mammogram through the national breast cancer screening program.

Worrying about follow-up appointments

When a follow-up appointment or test is approaching, many people may feel anxious. Talk to your treatment team or call Cancer Council 13 11 20 if you are finding it hard to manage this anxiety. You can also listen to our podcasts on cancer tests and managing fear.

Between follow-up appointments

Let your specialist know immediately of any symptoms or health problems. You can also see your GP if you have any questions and for ongoing support.

Dealing with feelings of sadness

If you have continued feelings of sadness, have trouble getting up in the morning or have lost motivation to do things that previously gave you pleasure, you may be experiencing depression. This is quite common among people who have had cancer.

Talk to your GP, as counselling or medication – even for a short time – may help. Some people can get a Medicare rebate for sessions with a psychologist. Ask your doctor if you are eligible. Cancer Council may also run a counselling program in your area.

For information about coping with depression and anxiety, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36. For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline 13 11 14.

Looking after yourself

Cancer can cause physical and emotional strain, so it’s important to look after your wellbeing. Cancer Council has free booklets and programs to help you during and after treatment.

Call 13 11 20 to find out more, or see Managing cancer side effects, Exercise after a cancer diagnosis, Complementary therapies, Emotions and cancer, Nutrition and cancer, Sexuality, intimacy and cancer, Fertility and cancer, and Living well after cancer.

If breast cancer returns

In most cases, early breast cancer will not come back (recur) after treatment. Although the risk is higher with locally advanced breast cancer, most people will not experience a recurrence.

Factors that may make the cancer more likely to come back in the treated breast or in other parts of the body include:

• the cancer was large at the first diagnosis
• the cancer was found in the lymph nodes
• the cancer was hormone receptor negative
• the grade of the cancer was high
• the surgical margin was not clear
• not having or not completing the adjuvant therapy (e.g. radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy) that was recommended after surgery.

Having one or more of these factors doesn’t necessarily mean the cancer will come back or spread.