Many people who have been treated for breast cancer are afraid that they still have cancer or that it will come back. These fears are normal. For some people, talking to a counselor or joining a support group can be helpful. Your health care provider may be able to help you find a counselor or support group.
Online resources such as our Message Boards offer online forums to share experiences with other breast cancer survivors. And, our helpline, 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636), provides free, professional support services to anyone with breast cancer concerns, including breast cancer survivors and their families.
Learn more about support groups and other types of social support.
Risk of breast cancer recurrence
Local recurrence is the return of cancer to the breast, chest or lymph nodes in the armpit. For women with early breast cancer, most local recurrence occurs within the first five years after treatment [2]. On average, seven to 11 percent of women with early breast cancer have a local recurrence during this time [2-3]. However, the risk of recurrence varies from person to person and depends on the type of breast cancer and treatment.
Learn more about recurrence.
Risk of a new breast cancer
Breast cancer survivors have an increased risk of getting a new breast cancer (called a second primary breast cancer) compared to people who have never had breast cancer [4-6]. Unlike a breast cancer recurrence (a return of the first breast cancer), a second primary tumor is a new cancer unrelated to the first.
Learn more about risk of a second primary breast cancer.
Risk of second cancers in people with family history or BRCA gene mutations
Compared to other breast cancer survivors, the risk of a second primary tumor is higher for those with a strong family history or a mutation in one of the BRCA genes [7-8]. People who carry BRCA mutations also have an increased risk of certain other cancers (especially ovarian cancer in women) [9-11].
Learn more about family history and risk of breast cancer.
Learn more about BRCA gene mutations and risk of breast and other cancers.
Lowering your risk of breast cancer recurrence
There are things you can do to lower your risk of getting cancer again and ensure that if you do have a recurrence, it is found early when it is most treatable. The most important is to get regular medical care after treatment. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise may also play a role in breast cancer survival.
If you are being treated with hormone therapy (tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors), taking the drugs as prescribed not only lowers the risk of the first cancer coming back but also lowers the risk of getting a second primary breast cancer [12-13].
Learn more about medical care after treatment.
Learn more about healthy weight, diet and exercise.
Learn more about hormone therapy.
Updated 09/14/11
