Follow-up after treatment for breast cancer

After your treatment has finished, you’ll have regular check-ups, which will include physical examinations and mammograms|. These will be every few months at first, but eventually you may only be seen once a year. Sometimes, instead of routine appointments, women are asked to contact their cancer specialist or nurse if there’s anything they’re worried about.

You may also need to see your specialist or GP every few months if you are having ongoing treatment with hormonal therapy|, or if you have any treatment side effects that haven't gone away.

Appointments are a good opportunity to talk to your cancer specialist about any concerns you have. However, if you notice any new symptoms or are anxious about anything else between your appointments, you can contact your doctor or nurse for advice. Many women find they get anxious for a while before the appointments.

This is natural and it may help to get support from family, friends or a support organisation| during this time.

You can also contact the Macmillan Support Line| on 0808 808 00 00.

Breast awareness

Although you’ll be screened carefully with yearly mammograms, it’s still a good idea to be aware of what’s now normal for you. Your treated breast will look and feel different depending on the treatment you’ve had. Your breast care nurse can tell you what you to expect and explain what changes to look out for. If you notice anything unusual between appointments, contact your cancer specialist or breast care nurse straight away.