Follow up for mastectomy patient with regards to reoccurence

Thank you for bringing up that issue. My feeling is that there is no way to detect metastasis early or prevent it.

Thank you for raising this issue! I have been told the very same thing. This is one of the reasons I scream at the TV every October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The feel- good stories always end with the woman being, " Free of cancer." No mention of circulating tumor cells, or how to now find recurring cancer in time, once it isn't in the breast or nearby lymph nodes.

Interesting topic of concern. What about some sort of scan?

I am experiencing the same feedback from my oncologist. I would love to hear if there is any other testing.

Congratulations on your 10 year survivorship! My circumstances seem very similar to yours, but I just met my 2nd anniversary being cancer free in January. I am currently taking Tamoxifen. Did you have to take Aromatase Inhibitors or Tamoxifen? Right now, I still see my oncologist every 4-5 months and he has me take a blood test each time I see him. The blood test tests CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel), CBC (complete blood count) and something called CA 27.29 (some sort of potential cancer tumor marker). I am not sure if the CA 27.29 is very accurate but I figured it can't hurt- ha ha since I am giving my blood anyways. And yes, I asked the same question as how will we know if its back and spreading around. Like everyone here, you are told that if you feel something is wrong it will get checked out. While they can do something called PET scans this can often produce a lot of false positives which would cause more anxiety. And you don't want to keep going through many of these tests as they too may cause harm. So, it does seem like there is no easy answer unless you are showing pain. I was hoping the anxiety would lessen some over time but I guess not. I just try hard to stay focused on keeping healthy. Any words of wisdom from you? Continued best wishes with your health.

Happy second year!!!! I did take tamoxifen for 5 years with little side effects. It was the letrozole that I took after the tamoxifen that caused significant bone loss. Hopefully they will have a better alternative for you when you get to that point in your long and successful recovery. I found that talking about my cancer caused me great anxiety, especially during the first years following my diagnosis so I avoided these forums. I had a lot going on with work and raising my family at the time so I choose to just try embrace the fact that I had been given a good prognosis and tried to just put it all behind me as best I could. It made me so grateful for all the gifts I had in my life, and each milestone I have witnessed in my children and now my grandchildren’s lives I realize how lucky I am. My suggestion to you would be to make a list of all your hopes for this coming year. And as you experience each one, just count your blessings. Then repeat for each new year. None of us knows what’s in store for tomorrow. Consider your experience with this challenge a success, try and find something positive that came out of the experience and move on. Life is too short by any measure to waste it on something we cannot control. Best of luck.

Thank you. I started with Anastrozole but after about a year and a half I could no longer tolerate the muscle/joint issues so took a brief break and then started Tamoxifen at a lower dosage. So far it has been ok. At this point, I am able to participate in these type of forums and not get so anxious as when first diagnosed- ha ha so I do understand. Like you said, we don't know what tomorrow will bring so can only remain positive and remain hopeful. Life is truly too short to worry about things you can't control. Just curious, but did you make stricter dietary changes or significant changes in exercising since your diagnosis? Thank you for your feedback.

Honestly, I got very little guidance with regard to diet. In my research the only consistent advice is to be careful about your alcohol intake. I just try to avoid processed foods and eat my fruits and vegetables as is recommended for anyone, nothing specific to cancer patients. I did take up yoga which I found to be very relaxing and I walk everyday. I tried meditation but unfortunately don’t have the patience. I do think that finding a way to manage your stress, whatever that may be for your life situation, is the best thing you can do to remain healthy in this journey. I hope this was helpful.

Thanks. Yes, the advice from most oncologist is just to eat healthy- not very helpful- ha ha. One of my doctors suggested the Mediterranean diet but basically avoiding processed foods and trying to eat more fruits and veggies and lesser meats is basically the idea. I don't like a lot of the foods commonly eaten on that diet so it would not work for me- ha ha. Sometimes, I overthink these things and drive myself bonkers- ha ha. I think its the early stages of getting breast cancer and the paranoia that comes with it. I am learning to let these thoughts go and like you I focus on stress management. I do exercise and go for walks every day. My dog is good motivation to get outside daily for walks. I only recently started trying meditation and yes it does take practice- ha ha. I also like to do some gardening, so this helps. So, yes, its all about balancing everything and not letting one particular thing get to you so thank you. I just hope I will be as successful as you have been. Best wishes and thanks so much for sharing.

I found away to do meditation one minute at a time. It's not that you do not have patience, you body is still telling you that you are in fight or flight mode. Start with 1 minute and tell yourself you have done well to start. When you feel ready try for 1 minute 30 seconds or 2 minutes. Again tell yourself you are doing well. There is no judgement. I find if I put myself in a quiet room I do better. Somedays it just a minute, other days it's 20 minutes and I might even fall asleep. You are enough.