Hello
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January, had surgery in Feb and then started radiotherapy in April, after fertility treatment whilst waiting for Oncotype test results. At the end of May i met with the Oncologist who discharged me and said i will have mammagrams and mri’s every year but i will not have any check up appointments in between. Many people ive spoken with and friends who have had cancer have had a check up after 3 months, then 6 months, then yearly. Has something changed meaning i wont have regular check ups or should i chase up the Oncologist to make sure im not missing any appointments. Im taking tamoxifen for the next 5 years and i do have some questions about the medicine and my healing, so i find it a little strange to be discharged without anything now until jan when I’ll have my first mammagram and mri.
Thank you
Hi jocelynb09
Thanks for your post.
Follow up after treatment for breast cancer can vary from person to person and the arrangements at each hospital can differ, which can be confusing. Follow up with regular imaging such as mammograms and MRI only (sometimes called open access or patient-initiated follow-up) is common.
However, it’s important that you know what follow up to expect from your team and when this will happen. If you have an open access agreement, it’s also important to know who to contact if you have concerns or symptoms that need to be checked by a doctor, and how best to do this. You can check what to expect by asking your breast care nurse.
Both our web page and our booklet After breast cancer treatment: what now? explain follow up in more detail and the information that is important to know as you move forward after your treatment. .
You may also be interested in our Moving Forward resources that are for people who have had a diagnosis of primary breast cancer and have come to the end of their main hospital treatment within the last 2 years. They include our Moving Forward booklet and Moving Forward courses.
Through supportive, open conversations in a safe, confidential space, you’ll connect with people who understand. You’ll also find the tools you need to feel more empowered, confident and in control to begin to move forward with your life.
You can attend Moving Forward either at our face-to-face course or take part by joining online. Find a course near you or register for an online course via the links above or call us on 03457 077 1893.
Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK -prefix 18001).
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Best wishes
Catherine
Breast Care Nurse
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