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The Voice of People With Breast Cancer
Information
Living with Breast Cancer
Life After Treatment
Follow-up Care and Surveillance
After breast cancer treatment or surgery, regular follow-up care helps monitor your recovery, manage side effects, and check for any signs of the cancer returning or a new cancer developing. Since most recurrences happen within 5 years, follow-up visits usually happen every 6 to 12 months at first, then once a year.
At these visits, your healthcare provider will ask about symptoms, review your health, and do a physical exam. They may check your chest, underarm lymph nodes, and other areas for any changes.
Imaging and Screening
If you still have breast tissue (for example, if you did not have both breasts removed), you will continue with yearly mammograms. People with dense breasts, breast reconstruction, or a higher risk of recurrence may also need MRIs or ultrasounds.
There are two types of imaging:
- Surveillance imaging: routine yearly tests when you have no symptoms
- Diagnostic imaging: (like mammograms or ultrasounds) used when symptoms or concerns arise
In Canada, standard imaging includes digital (2D) mammography. 3D mammograms, ultrasounds, or MRIs may be used when clearer images are needed.
Managing Long-Term Side Effects
Follow-up also includes monitoring for long-term side effects like fatigue, joint pain, nerve issues, early menopause, swelling (lymphedema), and bone changes. Many can be treated or managed. Talk to your doctor if symptoms arise.
If You Are Taking Hormone Therapy
If you are on hormone therapy (like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors), follow-up visits help track how it is going. Staying on these medications for 5 to 10 years lowers the chance of recurrence. Let your doctor know if side effects are a problem.
Transitioning to Primary Care
Over time, your follow-up care may shift from your cancer specialist to your family doctor. Your oncology team will share your treatment summary and care plan to support this transition.
Resources
- References
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BC Cancer. (2015). 7.1 Follow-up care. www.bccancer.bc.ca/books/breast/follow-up/detecting-recurrences
Canadian Breast Cancer Network. (2022). CBCN advocacy guide: Screening AFTER breast cancer. https://cbcn.ca/web/default/files/public/Reports/Advocacy%20Guide%20-%20Screening%20EN.pdf
Cancer Care Ontario. (2019). Follow-up model of care for cancer survivors: Recommendations for the delivery of follow-up care for cancer survivors in Ontario. https://www.cancercareontario.ca/sites/ccocancercare/files/guidelines/full/FollowUpModelOfCareCancerSurvivors.pdf
Cancer Care Ontario. (2019). Ontario breast cancer follow-up care clinical guidance summary. https://www.cancercareontario.ca/sites/ccocancercare/files/guidelines/summary/SurvivorshipClinicalGuidanceBreast.pdf
The Canadian Cancer Society has a database that can be used to find local support services in your area. You can access it below:
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About CBCN
CBCN strives to voice the views and concerns of breast cancer patients through education, advocacy activities, and the promotion of information sharing.
Canadian Breast Cancer Network
185 Somerset St. West Suite 318, Ottawa, ON Canada K2P 0J2
Tel: 613-230-3044
Toll-free: 1-800-685-8820
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