Follow-up after breast cancer treatment
When treatment ends, you will have regular check-ups with your doctor or contact with your breast care nurse.
Having check-ups
After treatment, you will have regular check-ups and yearly mammograms. At first, your appointments may be every few months. But after a while, they may be once a year.
If you notice any new symptoms between appointments, it is important to contact your doctor or nurse for advice. They will give you contact numbers, so you do not have to wait until your next appointment.
Instead of routine appointments, your breast care nurse may give you information on what to look out for. They will ask you to contact them or your cancer specialist if there is anything you are worried about.
Some women may have their follow-up appointments at a nurse-led clinic. They only see their cancer specialist if something needs to be checked further.
Many people find they get anxious for a while once treatment ends. This is natural. It can help to get support from family, friends or a helpful organisation.
Macmillan is also here to support you. If you would like to talk, you can:
- Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00.
- Chat to our specialists online.
- Visit our breast cancer forum to talk with people who have been affected by breast cancer, share your experience, and ask an expert your questions.
Be aware of changes
You will have yearly mammograms, but it is still a good idea to know what is now normal for you. Your treated breast will look and feel different, depending on the treatment you have had.
Your breast care nurse can tell you what you should expect and what to look out for. It is also important to be aware of what to look out for in your untreated breast.
If you notice anything unusual between appointments, contact your cancer specialist or breast care nurse straight away.
About our information
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our breast cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk
European Society for Medical Oncology. Primary breast cancer: ESMO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Annals of oncology 26 (supplement 5): v8–v30. 2015.
Morrow M, et al. Chapter 79: malignant tumors of the breast. DeVita, Hellman and Rosenberg’s cancer: principals and practice of oncology (10th edition). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. 2014.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Early and locally advanced breast cancer: diagnosis and management. July 2018.
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. SIGN 134. Treatment of primary breast cancer: a national clinical guideline. September 2013.
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Reviewers
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer. It has been approved by Senior Medical Editor, Dr Rebecca Roylance, Consultant Medical Oncologist.
Our cancer information has been awarded the PIF TICK. Created by the Patient Information Forum, this quality mark shows we meet PIF’s 10 criteria for trustworthy health information.
Date reviewed
This content is currently being reviewed. New information will be coming soon.
Our cancer information meets the PIF TICK quality mark.
This means it is easy to use, up-to-date and based on the latest evidence. Learn more about how we produce our information.
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