[This information guide is also available in PDF format to download.]

After you finish your treatment for breast cancer, you will have regular follow-up visits to the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute (BCI). At first, these visits will be frequent, and as time goes by, they will become less frequent. For most women, follow-up is for 5 years, and is carried out by the Westmead BCI team. After this time you will continue to have annual breast cancer checks (including mammograms if needed) with your general practitioner (GP) and return to the Westmead BCI if any problems develop.

Who will I see?

When you attend the clinic, you will be seen by one of the members of the Westmead BCI multidisciplinary team. This may be one of your specialists (your surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist or breast physician), one of the other doctors in the team, or a specialist breast care nurse. Often visits will alternate between different specialists within the multidisciplinary team. The different team members are in constant contact with each other, and if any issues come up you will quickly be seen by the most appropriate person.

How often will I have follow-up visits?

The timing of your follow-up appointments will vary depending on your circumstances. The type of cancer and the treatment you had will be considered, and an individual plan will be developed for you. In general, you will be seen every 3 to 6 months for the first 2 years, then every 6 to 12 months.

Women who have participated in clinical trials may be on a different follow-up schedule. Your team will let you know what your schedule will be.

What will happen at my follow-up consultation?

The doctor or nurse looking after you will talk to you about any symptoms that may be worrying you. He or she will also talk to you about treatment you may still be having (such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor tablets) and discuss the treatment plan and any side effects you may be experiencing.

You will have a clinical breast examination at each follow-up visit. Almost all women will have a mammogram (and sometimes an ultrasound as well) once a year. These are usually arranged to occur before a visit so that the results are available at the consultation. Your doctor may recommend that your mammogram be done at the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute or may refer you to a local radiology practice.

If you are well five years after your breast cancer treatment you are also eligible to have a free mammogram each year through the BreastScreen program.

Mammograms are not needed for the treated side of your chest if you had a mastectomy.If you are taking an aromatase inhibitor tablet such as Arimidex (anastrozole), Femara (letrozole) and Aromasin (exemestane), it may be recommended that you have a bone density test every 1 to 2 years, to make sure the tablets are not affecting your bones. A blood test to measure your vitamin D level may also be recommended. If there is a decrease in your bone density you may be referred to an endocrinologist to discuss treatment.

One of the other important aims of follow-up care is to keep you as healthy as possible, so your doctor or nurse may also talk to you about lifestyle issues (e.g. diet, physical activity and general health care). Apart from breast imaging once a year, there are no routine scans or blood tests that are recommended to monitor cancer. This is because there is good research to show that more tests are not useful in finding further cancer spread, and they don’t improve overall survival.

What else can I do?

It is recommended that as well as attending your follow-up visits, you check your breasts regularly (every 1-2 months) and report any changes you may notice. If you find lumps or skin changes in the breast, chest wall, armpit or collarbone area, speak to one of the doctors or nurses at the Westmead BCI or see your general practitioner.

Keeping yourself as healthy as possible and paying attention to your general health and fitness is essential. There is increasing research to show that getting plenty of physical activity, eating a balanced diet, minimising alcohol intake and keeping your weight within a healthy range all reduce the risk of your breast cancer returning.

What if I am worrying about my appointment?

Many women feel anxious about coming back for their follow-up visits. This is a very normal reaction. It can be helpful to think of it as a time when any concerns or problems you have can be discussed. The doctors and nurses are all experienced and they understand that this can be a worrying time. If you find yourself worrying about cancer at other times, mention it to one of the health professionals. There are people who can help you manage this.

[This information guide is also available in PDF format to download.]

Disclaimer

This site contains information, data, documents, policies, procedures, guidelines, images and general health promotion material pages prepared by Westmead Breast Cancer Institute ("the Information") for and on behalf of the Western Sydney Local Health District. Westmead Breast Cancer Institute wishes to make available the Information to better inform the community. The information is protected by copyright.

The information also includes information derived from various third parties ("the third party Information") which is neither endorsed or supported by Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, and/or Western Sydney Local Health District and/or State of New South Wales and does not necessarily reflect any policies, procedures, standards or guidelines of Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Western Sydney Local Health District or the State of New South Wales.
Whilst the Information and the third party Information contained on this site have been presented with all due care, Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and/or Western Sydney Local Health District and/or the State of New South Wales do not warrant or represent that the information or the third party information are free from errors or omissions.

The information and the third party information are made available on the understanding that Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, and/or Western Sydney Local Health District and/or the State of NSW and their respective employees and agents shall have no liability (including liability by reason of negligence) to the users for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information and/or the third party information and whether caused by reason of any error, negligent act, omission or misrepresentation in the information or the third party information or otherwise.

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Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and/or Western Sydney Local Health District and/or the State of NSW take no responsibility for the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of the information and/or the third party information nor for the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of links or references to information sources (including Internet Sites) outside of this site. Links to other Internet Sites are not under the control of Westmead Breast Cancer Institute or Western Sydney Local Health District or State of New South Wales and are provided for information only.

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Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Australia

After Your Treatment for Breast Cancer

Who will I see?

How often will I have follow-up visits?

What will happen at my follow-up consultation?

What else can I do?

What if I am worrying about my appointment?

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