Forum Discussion
What happens now I'm finished my treatment?
I have been through breast cancer for the last 8 months. I went on to have two surgeries. 12mm lump in my left breast and one lymph node had caught cancer. So all 26 on my left side were removed....
Yes...returning to normal life isn't easy. But years of experience and the women before us found that over testing...yearly bone scans or body CTs hasn't been helpful detecting early if disease has advanced.
So now they just do additional tests if symptons arise and back to the annual screening of mammograms and regular reviews by breast surgeon and oncologist for next 5 years. They might keep an eye on your bone density though. (dexa scan) ..different from a bone scan, looking for osteoporosis. As hormone treatments and chemo can affect that.
My treatment stopped earlier and it was some time before I could think of myself as a survivor. But that is what you need to say to yourself. Eventually you'll believe it and start to go about the process of living again and not just living in fear of return. Kath x
https://breast-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au/life-after
So now they just do additional tests if symptons arise and back to the annual screening of mammograms and regular reviews by breast surgeon and oncologist for next 5 years. They might keep an eye on your bone density though. (dexa scan) ..different from a bone scan, looking for osteoporosis. As hormone treatments and chemo can affect that.
My treatment stopped earlier and it was some time before I could think of myself as a survivor. But that is what you need to say to yourself. Eventually you'll believe it and start to go about the process of living again and not just living in fear of return. Kath x
https://breast-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au/life-after