Do you worry about your cancer coming back?

Cosette

If the answer is yes, you're not alone. Feeling anxious and frightened about breast cancer returning is very common for people who have had breast cancer. 

We've produced a video about how to cope with the fear of recurrence.

Check out the video here: https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/fear-of-cancer-recurrence/

And then come back and talk to us. What makes you afraid that your breast cancer may come back? How do you manage your anxieties? Are videos like these helpful?

Michelle_R

Hello Cosette,
Yes - these videos are extremely helpful.  There will always be anxiety about recurrence and learning ways to deal with it is so important.  I have just watched them all and have seen parts of myself in each one, especially Dr Mann's advice on having/not having follow-up scans.  He makes it very clear when scans are definitely necessary and when they would just provide undue stress.  The advice of staying in the 'now' is also helpful, especially for the 3am wakeups.  I have found that keeping a meditation cd - with earphones - alongside the bed can bring on relaxation faster than anything else.  Walking on the beach, breathing fresh air, always having something to look forward to, however small - these keep the focus on happy moments and keep the anxiety in the background where it belongs.  And gratitude - I am so grateful to be approaching my 5 year milestone.  The online network has been so important for feeling part of a group where everyone understands.
 xx Michelle R

melclarity

Thanks Cosette, that was really great to watch, and a story I think we can all identify with! xo

Annedipa

I was really anxious as i approached the 2 year mark due to what i perceived to be a family trait. Booked a holiday in the months prior so i had something else to think about. Ongoing swimming helps as does spending time with friends and family.

Pinkkittykat

Thanks for putting this video out, I can identify with Kim, it's always lurking there the fear of it returning, likewise I am very anxious about my upcoming mammogram! 

Afraser

Does anyone not worry about yearly tests? If so, what's your secret? I can be totally rational and almost relaxed year round, but get nervous and prone to weird pains, twinges and what have you 2 or 3 weeks before my annual tests. Given 5 years in October, all going well, I'll possibly start pinging in July!!

adean

5 years for me in June still think about it often

primek

It's made me realise the fear is for life. We just have to learn to live with it, another part of this survivorship I guess. 

Brenda5

Que sera sera whatever will be will be. The futures not ours to see. I beat it once so if it happens I have the strength to fight on.

KathnMad

Good videos, its good to know others have felt the same along the way. I am just at the 1 year mark from getting my mammogram recall, biopsy, and diagnosis, then comes the 1 year anniversary of surgery and treatment. All of which was faced as a project for me to  "get through".   But when I finished the treatment that's when the worrying started -  hopefully after the 1 year scan (in June) when everything is confirmed OK - i can start  to relax ...

LMK74

I'm already worried and I'm not even though chemo or surgery yet. I keep thinking what if it's in the other breast and it can't be seen on the scans. Guess it's just natural to feel this way.

KathSe

I'm almost 12 months post tnbc and I live in fear everyday and I hate it! Right now I have an achy hip and back which has been there since taxol finished  in January and has got no worse and doesn't restrict me in any way and I have myself convinced in worse case scenario. I have osteo arthritis and I know I had pain before diagnosis in those areas but still I keep going to that dark place! Has to stop!