The period after being treated for triple-negative breast cancer can be wrought with anxiety because you don’t know what to expect. Fortunately, there are pre-determined paths for follow-up care depending on what your treatment entailed. Let’s look at a few of the areas that will usually need to be covered during the years after treatment.
Your General Follow-Up Schedule
The 3-5 years following treatment for triple-negative breast cancer are the most important for monitoring your health. That’s because studies show the odds of the tumors returning decrease significantly during that time.
While you’re being monitored, your doctor will recommend specific screening tests depending on how you were treated.
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If you still have breast tissue, you can expect an annual mammogram. For those whose treatment included a double mastectomy, there may be blood or imaging tests to check for other signs that the tumors have returned.
Overall, however, you’re likely to see your doctor every 3 to 6 months for the first 3 years of your monitoring period. In the next 2 years, those visits will be extended to every 6 to 12 months.
Once you get to the 6-year mark, you should visit your doctor annually. Though your risk of recurrence will be less at this point, you can still develop what is known as second cancer. A second cancer is one that is unrelated to the first.
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For example, people who have had any type of breast cancer may be more prone to uterine cancer as well.
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A Word On Survivorship Care Plans
The details of your treatment and your scheduled monitoring can be a little overwhelming so that’s why some people opt for a survivorship care plan.
These plans are designed to contain all the information pertinent to your care, including everything you’ve undergone during your journey. The documents will also include guidance for looking for signs of recurrence, how to manage the late side effects of your treatment, and a list of other specialists you might need to see while being monitored.
While a survivorship care plan doesn’t replace your medical record, it’s a great summary of what you’ve gone through. It can provide you or another caregiver with essential information regarding your health. If this sounds like something you’d like, talk to your doctor as soon as possible so they can put one together.
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Should You Be Concerned About Recurrence?
Thanks to advances in medical care, the chances of recurrence from triple-negative breast cancer have gone down significantly. However, statistics still show that Black women had an overall 4% higher risk for recurrence than other ethnicities.
When researchers accounted for other factors and compared outcomes to white women, in particular, there was a 39% difference in their likelihood to experience recurrence.
The numbers may seem daunting but the good news is that you can help your doctor catch your symptoms early.
It’s important to tell your doctor if you’ve found any new lumps in remaining breast tissue, signs of skin inflammation, or signs of thickening near a mastectomy scar.
If you experience swelling under your arm or in your neck, chest pain, severe headaches, or weight loss, let your doctor know. These signs could all mean that your cancer has returned to the same area or spread to another part of the body.
Tips For Taking Care Of Yourself During The Monitoring Period
Many women report dealing with high levels of anxiety during their monitoring period so it’s a good idea to have a plan to address it. It can be helpful to have a support system in place where you can share your concerns and get advice.
Additionally, some people tout the benefits of making time for themselves to meditate or participate in some other relaxing activity.
Finally, finding an exercise routine that works for you will be key.
Follow-up care for triple-negative breast cancer can be a lot for people to handle when they don’t know what’s coming. If you maintain steady communication with your doctor and take care of yourself, however, you’ll have everything covered.
