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Medical Care After Treatment

 

 

Follow Up
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All breast cancer survivors need to see their health care providers on a regular basis. The goals of these follow-up visits are to:

  • Find any breast cancer that has returned to the breast, chest or nearby lymph nodes (recurrence).
  • Find any breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastasis).
  • Find any new breast tumors.
  • Lower the risk of recurrence and metastasis.
  • Find and manage any side effects related to treatment (such as lymphedema, endometrial cancer or heart problems).
  • Provide other health screenings (such as screening for colon and skin cancers, bone density tests and for women, pelvic exams and Pap smears).
  • Provide ongoing primary care (monitoring your general health, such as checking your blood pressure and cholesterol).
  • Give you a time to ask questions and share concerns.

Recommended medical care after treatment for breast cancer

Follow-up care after breast cancer treatment (see Figure 6.1) includes [14]:

  • Physical exams
  • Mammograms
  • Bone health tests
  • Pelvic exams (for women)

During follow-up visits, your health care provider will discuss any signs of recurrence and ask you about any symptoms or concerns you have.
 

These visits are a good time to talk about how you’re coping emotionally. Your provider can also refer you to a support group or counselor.  

Figure 6.1: Recommended medical care after treatment for breast cancer  

Medical history and physical exam   All survivors
 
Every four to six months for five years, then every 12 months.
Mammogram  Women treated with lumpectomy plus radiation therapy
 
Six to 12 months after radiation therapy ends, then every 12 months.
  Women treated with mastectomy Every 12 months.
 
Pelvic exam and Pap smear  Women on tamoxifen who have not had their uterus removed (have not had a hysterectomy) Every 12 months.
Bone health exams
 

Women at higher risk of osteoporosis due to risk factors including:

  • Aromatase inhibitor use
  • Early menopause due to treatment
  • Age 65 years or older
  • Age 60 to 64 years with family history of osteoporosis or with low body weight
Regular bone mineral density tests.
  Women at lower risk of osteoporosis
 
Office visit to check osteoporosis risk, every 12 months.

Adapted from National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) materials [14-15].  

Updated 06/24/11

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