Breast cancer

Recovery and follow-up of breast cancer

Recovery and follow-up

Recovery

Most women with breast cancer have an operation as part of their treatment. Getting back to normal after surgery can take some time. It's important to take things slowly and give yourself time to recover.

During this time, avoid lifting thingsfor example, children or heavy shopping bagsand avoid heavy housework. You may also be advised not to drive.

You may need to take a break from some of your normal activities for a while. Don'tbe afraid to ask for practical help from family and friends.

Follow-up

After your treatment has finished, you'll be invited for regular check-ups, usually every three months for the first year.

If you've had early breast cancer, your healthcare team will agree a care plan with you after your treatment has finished.

This plan contains the details of your follow-up. You'll receive a copy of the plan, which will also be sent to your GP.

During the check-up, your doctor will examine you and may carry out Blood tests or X-rays to see how your cancer is responding to treatment.

You should also be offered a mammogram every year for the first five years after your treatment.

Long-term complications

Although it's rare, your treatment for breast cancer may cause new problems, such as:

pain and stiffness in your arms and shoulders may occur after surgery, and the skin in these areas may be tight
a build-up of excess lymph fluid that causes swelling (lymphoedema) this may occurif surgery or radiotherapy damages the lymphatic drainage system in the armpit

Talk to your healthcare team if you experience these or any other long-term effects of treatment.

Want to know more?

Breast Cancer Care: lymphoedema
Breast Cancer Care: your operation and recovery (PDF, 148kb)
Cancer Research UK: breast cancer follow-up
Macmillan Cancer Support: follow-up after breast cancer treatment

Your body and breasts after treatment

Dealing with changes to your body

A diagnosis of breast cancer may change how you think about your body. All women react differently to the bodily changes that happen as a result of breast cancer treatment.

Some women react positively, but others find it more difficult to cope. It's important to give yourself time to come to terms with any changes to your body.

Want to know more?

Breast Cancer Care: your body after breast cancer treatment
healthtalk.org: body image
Macmillan Cancer Support: effects after breast cancer treatment

Early menopause

Although most cases of breast cancer occur in women over 50 who have experiencedthe menopause , some younger women have to cope with anearly menopause brought on by cancer treatment.

Symptoms can include:

hot flushes
vaginal dryness
loss of sexual desire

Talk to your healthcare team about any symptoms you have and they'll be able to help.

Want to know more?

Breast Cancer Care: menopausal symptoms after treatment
Cancer Research UK: breast cancer and menopausal symptoms
Macmillan Cancer Support: breast cancer treatment and menopausal symptoms

Prosthesis

An externalbreast prosthesis is an artificial breast, which can be worn inside your bra to replace the volume of thebreast that's been removed.

Soon after a mastectomy, you'll be given a lightweight foam breast to wear until the area affected by surgery or radiotherapy has healed.

After it's healed, you'll be offered a silicone prosthesis. Prostheses come in many different shapes and sizes, and you should be able to find one that suits you.

Want to know more?

Breast Cancer Care: breast prostheses
Cancer Research UK: after your breast cancer surgery: your false breast shape (prosthesis)

Reconstruction

If you didn't have immediate breast reconstruction carried out when you hada mastectomy, you can have reconstruction later. This is called a delayed reconstruction.

There are two main methods of breast reconstruction:

reconstruction using your own tissue
reconstruction using an implant

The type that's most suitable for you will depend on many factors, including the treatment you've had, any ongoing treatment, and the size of your breasts. Talk to your healthcare team about which reconstruction is suitable for you.

Want to know more?

Breast reconstruction
My mastectomy and reconstruction
Breast Cancer Care: breast reconstruction
Cancer Research UK: about breast reconstruction

Relationships and sex

Relationships with friends and family

It's not always easy to talk about cancer , either for you or your family and friends. You may sense that some people feel awkward around you or avoid you.

Being open about how you feel and what your family and friends can do to help may put them at ease. However, don't be afraid to tell them that you need some time to yourself if that's what you need.

Want to know more?

Talking to your kids about cancer
Breast Cancer Care: relationships and body image
healthtalk.org: how breast cancer affects families
Macmillan Cancer Support: talking about your cancer

Your sex life

Breast cancer and its treatment can affect your sex life. It's common for women to lose interest in sex after breast cancer treatment.

Your treatment may leave you feeling very tired. You may feel shocked, confused or depressed about being diagnosed with cancer.

You may be upset by the changes to your body, or grieve the loss of your breasts or, in some cases, fertility.

It's understandable that you may not feel like having sex while coping with all this. Try to share your feelings with your partner.

If you have problems with sex that aren't getting better with time, you may want to speak to a counsellor or sex therapist.

Want to know more?

Breast Cancer Care: relationships and family
Cancer Research UK: living with breast cancer surgery: sexuality after breast surgery
Macmillan Cancer Support: cancer and sexuality

Money and financial support

If you have to reduce or stop work because of your cancer, you may find it difficult to cope financially.

If you have cancer or you're caring for someone with cancer, you may be entitled to financial support.

For example:

if you have a job but can't work because of your illness, you're entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from your employer
if you don't have a job and can't work because of your illness, you may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance
if you're caring for someone with cancer, you may be entitled to Carer's Allowance
you may be eligible for other benefits if you have children living at home, or if you have a low household income

Find out what help is available to you as soon as possible. The social worker at your hospital will be able to give you the information you need.

Free prescriptions

People being treated for cancer are entitled to apply for an exemption certificate, giving them free prescriptions for all medication, including medicine for unrelated conditions.

The certificate is valid for five years, and you can apply for it through your GP or cancer specialist.

Want to know more?

Benefits for carers
Benefits for the person you care for
Q&A: free prescriptions
Breast Cancer Care: breast cancer and employment
GOV.UK: benefits and financial support
Find your nearest CitizensAdvice

Talk to other people

Your GP or nurse may be able to answer any questions you have about your cancer or treatment.

You may find it helpful to talk to a trained counsellor or psychologist, or someone at a specialist helpline. Your GP surgery will have information on these.

Some people find it helpful to talk to other people who havebreast cancer, either at a local support group or on an internet chatroom.

Want to know more?

Breast Cancer Care: someone to talk to
Macmillan Cancer Support: online community

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 23 Nov 2016

Articles for breast cancer

Introduction

Breast cancer (cancer of the mammary glands) is a condition that has been known since ancient times, and exhibits itself as one of the most prevalent conditions of the modern world. This is one of the most common types of cancer, and is often one of the main causes of death for women worldwide. Cancers of the mammary gland usually affect females, and is 100 times more likely to occur in women rather than men.

Symptoms

The first symptom of breast cancer most women notice is a lump or an area of thickened tissue in their breast. Most Breast lump (90%) aren't cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by your doctor.

Causes

Read about the causes of breast cancer, which aren't fully understood. There are some risk factors that are known to affect your likelihood of developing breast cancer, however.

Diagnosis

If you notice a lump in your breast or any change in the appearance, feel or shape of your breasts, see a doctor. If you have suspected breast cancer, either because of your symptoms or because your mammogram has shown an abnormality, you'll be referred to a specialist breast cancer clinic for further tests.

Treatment

Surgery is usually the first type of treatment for breast cancer. The type of surgery you undergo will depend on the type of breast cancer you have. Surgery is usually followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy or, in some cases, hormone or biological treatments.

Recovery and follow-up of breast cancer

Prevention

As the causes of breast cancer aren't fully understood, it's not known if it can be prevented altogether. Some treatments are available to reduce the risk in women who have a higher risk of developing the condition than the general population.

Patient story: "I have had breast cancer twice."

This is the story of Emma Duncan who was diagnosed with breast cancer twice in four years, once in each breast. "Now I just want to stay cancer free" she says.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer (cancer of the mammary glands) is a condition that has been known since ancient times, and exhibits itself as one of the most prevalent conditions of the modern world.

How to perform self-examination of breasts?

Any woman should be able to perform regular self-examinations. It is recommended to perform this examination when you are taking a shower, or in front of the mirror, holding both arms above and behind the head in order to examine the shape and size.

What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?

In the majority of cases, breast cancer is not accompanied by any sort of pain or obvious symptoms. At times, when touching a small nodule present some pain may be felt, which is why continuous, routine self-examinations are highly recommended, especially for age groups at risk.

What can I experience in case I have breast cancer?

In the majority of cases, the disease develops in complete absence of clinical symptoms. Since it is a mostly asymptomatic disease, it is rendered even more dangerous.

What does a cancerous nodule look like or feel like?

During palpation using the fingertips, you may feel a round mass, usually ranging from the size of a hazelnut to the size of a walnut, or even larger. The nodule can be firm or soft, with an uneven surface, separated from the tissue around it, or attached to the tissue around it and mobile.

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