Hi, I’ve got primary breast cancer (triple positive and Her2+) which for which I’ve had a mascetomy and will be going into chemo soon with Her2 treatment. What I’m not clear on is how do I know when I’m clear? There’s no breast tissue to scan as its been removed so how do I know when things are finished and feel reassured I can move on?
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Hi Seren1, has your oncologist requested any scans? I had a CT scan following my mastectomy, prior to starting chemo. The scan was clear but I had preventative/precautionary chemo anyway.
I am now 4 years post-treatment, my oncologist has never said the words ‘all-clear’.
I believe the term they prefer is ‘no evidence of disease’ or NED…again, this hasn’t been said.
I think some oncologists wait until the 5 year mark.
If you are feeling unsure, request a CT scan which will hopefully give you peace of mind.
I hope you tolerate the chemo well.
Sending a hug xx
Lynne
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Hi @seren1 I hope the nurses will be able to answer your question when they return on Monday with their expert opinion.
For me I was grade 1&2 ER+ HER2+ and was deemed ‘no evidence of disease’ after my bilateral lumpectomy surgery in July 2023 but like you I had to follow up with chemo/herceptin so it didn’t feel like I was clear. My team have never said time I was cancer free or no evidence of disease. I was told the surgery went well with clear margins and no lymph involvement. I have follow up mammograms that say ‘ no areas of concern’ but after a mastectomy that isn’t possible.
You may benefit from joining a very popular thread HER2+ and need some buddies HER2+ and need some buddies - #4696 by boobitis where those that had mastectomies can comment as well.
You may also benefit from joining the monthly chemo starters thread when you start your chemo treatment. This is the link for September 2025 Sept 2025 chemo starters
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@seren1
Hi, after surgery, chemo and RT, I asked my oncologist if I needed a scan to check if I was clear and she said no scan needed and now that the treatments are completed, u can consider yourself cancer free. Hope this helps xxx
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Hi seren1
Thank you for posting and asking how you will know when you are ’all clear’. It is natural to have questions about the follow up you will receive after your treatment, and to have concerns about moving forward and feeling reassured.
Nearly everyone who has been treated for cancer worries about it coming back (recurrence) and you’re not alone in being anxious about this but it is important to know that most breast cancers don’t come back after treatment.
As @LynneHM says, most oncologists do not use the term ‘all clear’. The aim of treatment is to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back, and you will receive follow up once treatment has ended. People are followed up in different ways and if you have had a mastectomy you will not need a mammogram on that side, although you will have annual follow up mammograms of your other breast for 5 years. As @moobloo explains you will not usually need any other routine scans unless you have any symptoms that need checking.
When you finish your chemotherapy, you may be interested in looking at our resources that are particularly for those who have come to the end of their hospital-based treatment. These are known as our Moving forward services and include our Moving Forward book and Moving Forward courses.
In the meantime you may find it helpful to look at the other threads suggested by @naughty_boob for further support.
We also offer a range of free supportive services which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events.
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Best wishes
Katy
Breast Care Nurse
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