When are you 'signed off'

I have my check up tomorrow (eek). I was wondering does anyone know if you are signed off 5 years after diagnosis or is it end of treatment? There can be a big gap between these two events as we know! Grateful for advice. Sue

I believe it’s 5 years post diagnosis, which is the end of the remission period. In my case I will turn 50 the same year and my BC nurse told me I would then pass into the screening programme.

I was dx in Jan at a private hospital - my surgeon advised after the surgery that I should have my follow-on treatment (in my case rads and tamoxifen) under the NHS as they keep you on check-ups for 10 years as opposed to the 5 years my insurance would cover. He advised that due to my age (40 at dx) this would give me annual mammograms for the next 10 years and after that I would be of an age to be in the regular screening program.

I was just discharged from the breast care clinic last Monday, which is five years after my diagnosis/operation. I was initially told that I would be followed up for 10 years, but I believe the government advice has now changed as it didn’t give any better outcomes seeing people for 10 years. I have been having mammograms every 18 months and I think I will have one more of those and then back to the three year screening. My consultant told me to carry on keeping a check on things and go back to my GP if anything suspicious.

I was only being seen once a year and didn’t find it particularly helpful having to wait a long time in a crowded waiting room to see a doctor I hadn’t seen before for a couple of minutes in any case (though one of them was very thorough and helpful). It was nice to see my consultant again on this last visit, though and I didn’t have to wait at all!

Best wishes
Gwyn xx

I will have yearly followups and mammos for life.
Vx

It does very much depend where you are - in north-west London, some hospitals now seem to discharge you back to your GP’s tender care after 2-3 years if you had an “unproblematic” cancer. Thereafter the assumption is that you will find any problems that come up for yourself. My first diagnosis, in 1991, I was discharged back to GP after 5 years - this time round, from a second diagnosis in 2007, I understand I’ll be discharged in 2010.

I do know this doesn’t suit a lot of people, but it works for me - I think I’m going to pick up any symptoms of recurrence before they do, and I really hate the whole hospital environment.

Lyn

Thanks for all the replies. Had my check up and all was OK but I thought it would be. My onc. said I am finally signed off next autumn (5 yrs after DX so cherub was right) and only get a mammo every alternate year! When I queried this she said it hasn’t made a difference to long term prognosis. So I suppose they know whereof they speak. Hah - famous last words! Take care all,
Sue XX