You have fought hard to conquer breast cancer but fear of its recurrence never goes out of your mind. Every time you go for checkups, you are stressed about recurrence. It’s more about the emotional weight and constant “what ifs” than the physical pain.
We understand how exhausting it is to live with that fear.
But you have options. There are effective breast cancer recurrence treatments that can reduce the risk drastically. You can use advanced medical treatments, therapies, and lifestyle changes to get effective results and better health.
Feeling control of your health without fearing cancer recurrence is in your hands.
How?
If you understand cancer recurrence, early detection, and timely prevention becomes much easier. These two factors drastically impact the treatment outcome. That way you will not be overwhelmed by the emotional weight and fear of recurrence. Instead, with the help of the right knowledge and proactive steps, you can reduce the risk and control your health.
What is Breast Cancer Recurrence?
When breast cancer comes back after treatment, it is called recurrent breast cancer. Even though the first-time treatment is aimed at getting rid of the cancer, some tiny cells might remain undetected and cause a relapse.
Recurrent cancer can show after a few months or in some cases after years of cancer treatment. It may come back in the same spot or area which is called local recurrence. It may come back in other parts of your body which is called distant recurrence.
We can understand that hearing cancer recurrence can be distressing for you, even more than the first time. But you need to understand that it’s a roadblock and not the end of the road. You need the right treatment to eliminate the cancer again or control it for a long time.
What are the Different Types of Breast Cancer Recurrence?
Based on the location of cancer return, breast cancer recurrence is categorized. When you understand these types, you will have less confusion while determining the best treatment approach:
Local Recurrence
Local recurrence happens when cancer returns to the same breast or chest area as the original tumor. This type of recurrence can be detected early and treated effectively with surgery or radiation.
Regional Recurrence
Regional recurrence occurs when cancer comes back near the original tumor site. It returns mostly in the lymph nodes under the arm or around the collarbone. Different treatment approaches are used to treat these types of recurrence which include surgery, radiation, or systemic therapies like chemotherapy.
Distant Recurrence
In this type of recurrence, the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body like lungs, bones, liver, or brain. This is also known as Stage 4 breast cancer. Its treatment needs systematic treatment approaches like chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy.
Noteworthy, if cancer develops in the opposite breast after recurrence treatment, the tumor is considered new cancer. It is no longer a recurrent cancer. Doctors call it second cancer.
Breast Cancer Recurrence Chances: What Do You Need to Know about the Risk Factors?
Breast cancer patients always have some risk of recurrence. The risk is generally low but highest in the first two years after the treatment and reaching the 5-year mark of staying cancer-free is a significant milestone. Recurrence after 5 years is called late recurrence and it happens rarely.
As per the American Cancer Society, inflammatory breast cancer (IBC is a rare aggressive breast cancer that happens when cancer cells block lymph vessels in the breast skin) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC is a type of breast cancer that tests negative for estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 Receptors).
Researchers are still trying to find out why breast cancer recurs, but they have found certain patterns and risk factors. Lifestyle and health factors like having high blood sugar, being overweight, and not having a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables are some such factors.
Some women are at risk of late recurrence if they have a tumor larger than 2 centimeters, a high number of affected lymph nodes, hormone receptor-positive cancer, or a woman who has stopped hormone therapy too soon after surgery.
Alcohol is another factor that can cause breast cancer recurrence. Consuming excessive alcohol after breast cancer treatment can cause recurrence, especially in the case of postmenopausal and overweight women.
What are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer Recurrence?
The signs and symptoms of breast cancer recurrence depend on the location where the cancer has returned. Symptoms will vary depending on whether it has come back locally, regionally, or in the distant part of the body. Knowing what to look for will help you spot recurrence symptoms early and seek timely treatment.
Symptoms Of Local Recurrence
Symptoms of this recurrence depend on the type of treatment you underwent:
- If you had a mastectomy, you may see painless nodules or lumps on or under the skin of the chest wall. You may also experience thickening or changes near the mastectomy scar.
- If you had a lumpectomy, you may see a new lump or area of firmness in the remaining breast tissue. You may also see changes in the breast skin like redness, dimpling, and inflammation. Nipple discharge or unusual modifications can also be there.
Symptoms Of Regional Recurrence
In case of a regional recurrence, you will see the following symptoms:
- Swelling near the collarbone, in the back, or in the groove above the collarbone.
- A lump or swelling in the lymph nodes under the arm (axillary nodes).
Symptoms Of Distant Recurrence
Symptoms of this type of recurrence are:
- Brain issues like headaches, seizures, or changes in balance and vision
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in chest, back, hips, and other bones
- Liver issues like loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, or jaundice
Breast Cancer Recurrence Treatment
While deciding the breast cancer recurrence treatment approach, doctors will keep in mind where and how it recurs. The treatment plan will depend on whether it is a local, regional, or distant recurrence. There are effective treatments to manage the disease and improve your health in all these cases.
Treating Local Recurrence
If breast cancer comes back to the same spot where it appeared previously, treatment will depend on your previous approach. For women who had a lumpectomy, a local recurrence will be treated with mastectomy.
But if the first treatment is mastectomy, the current tumor will be removed surgically. Radiation therapy will follow the surgery if it’s not used the first time. The patient may also need additional therapies like chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy to get rid of any microscopic cancer cells that could spread further.
Treating Regional Recurrence
When breast cancer spreads to nearby lymph nodes like underarms and around the collarbone, these cancerous lymph nodes are removed surgically. Radiation therapy may also be used if it isn’t part of the initial treatment.
The patient may need systematic treatments like chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy after surgery.
Treating Distant Recurrence
If the recurrent breast cancer spreads to distant organs like bones, lungs, liver, or brain, it will be treated like stage IV breast cancer. Doctors will aim at controlling the cancer, slowing its progress, and giving the patient a healthier life.
Doctors may use chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, biologically targeted therapy, or small molecule inhibitors as treatment options for this type of recurrence.
In some cases, newer and advanced treatment options are used if the previous treatments haven’t been effective.
Palliative And Supportive Care
Palliative care is needed for advanced and hard-to-treat recurrences. In such cases, palliative care can help manage symptoms and increase the patient’s comfort. The focus of this type of care is to provide the patient with pain relief, emotional support, and improved overall well-being.
It can be offered at home, in the office, in a clinic, or in a hospital, in the patient’s comfort zone.
If you or your loved one need palliative care, you can call MedicoExperts. We can help you connect with the best hospitals and clinics in India for breast cancer recurrence treatment and care.
Breast Cancer After Treatment: What’s Next?
Breast cancer after treatment or follow-up is as important as its treatment. Cancer treatment may be a relief for you but you may also have a fear of recurrence. You may also feel a sense of uncertainty regarding the less frequent visits with your cancer care team.
If you or your dear one has advanced breast cancer, the treatment may continue to manage the disease and reduce symptoms. This also might be stressful and challenging for you.
Whatever may be the situation follow-up care is the most important part of your recovery process. These regular doctor visits, mammograms, and tests help monitor your health and catch any signs of early recurrence.
Your doctors will decide your follow-up schedule depending on the type and stage of your cancer and also the treatment you have received. Over time, the follow-up visits will be less frequent but not missing any of them is essential. You need to stay vigilant about symptoms and maintain open communication with your care team.
You need to be aware of the side effects of the treatment you have undergone. These symptoms can appear years later sometimes. Your follow-up visits are an opportunity to ask questions to your doctor regarding any concerns you may have. You can also address the changes in your health during these visits. In case you notice any changes between these visits, don’t wait or think twice, discuss them with your doctor immediately.
How to Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence? Steps to Lower Your Risk
Fear of recurrence is common among breast cancer patients who have undergone treatment. Though there is no guaranteed way to prevent a recurrence, lifestyle changes, medications, and proactive health measures are some ways to reduce the risk.
Here’s what you can do to stay safe and healthy after breast cancer treatment:
Stay Active And Exercise Regularly
Regular physical activity can improve your health and may lower the risk of breast cancer recurrence.
Start with 30 minutes of exercise and then you can extend it to 1 hour. You can do brisk walking and moderate aerobics. You can also run or do strength training. Whatever you do, start small if you are not active right now. For you, even a few minutes of the day.
Take Good Care Of Your Diet
You need a nutritious diet because it supports recovery, boosts energy, and may help lower cancer risk.
Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. You should not have red meat. Instead have lean proteins like eggs, lentils, and quinoa. You should also have food with omega-3 fatty acids. Fishes, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and leafy green vegetables like spinach have this nutrient.
You need to avoid high-fat and high-calorie foods. These foods increase estrogen levels in your body and high estrogen increases the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Cut back on sugary drinks and increase fiber-rich foods in your diet.
Limit Or Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol can raise estrogen levels and increase the risk of recurrence. So, if possible avoid it altogether. And if you choose to drink do not go beyond 1 drink per day.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is linked to many cancers including breast cancer. If you have a quit-smoking program nearby, join it. You can also use nicotine replacement like patches, gums, lozenges, or even medication to help you quit smoking. The best way to quit smoking is managing stress which is the common trigger for smoking.
Apart from all these preventive measures, you need to be regular with your follow-up checkups and screenings. We have already discussed how important they are to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer.
Takeaway
Breast cancer recurrence treatments are advancing with time making it more treatable. But prevention is always better than treatment and you should not miss your follow-ups after the first treatment.
Lifestyle choices are another preventive factor. Most of the preventive measures are under your control, so take the first step towards a healthier life. You have already fought one battle. Don’t let overpower you.
Early detection and timely intervention are the best ways to stay away from recurrence. Hence, keep in touch with your medical team.
If you or your loved ones need guidance regarding breast cancer recurrence treatments or preventive care, contact MedicoExperts today.
We are here to help you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. Can breastfeeding reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence?
A. Experts have found a link between breastfeeding and a lower risk of breast cancer. However, its impact on recurrence is not clear yet. Nevertheless, breastfeeding is considered good for a woman’s overall health.
Q2. Can breast cancer recur after a double mastectomy?
A. Double mastectomy significantly reduces the chances of recurrence but that doesn’t eliminate it. Cancer can still come back to nearby lymph nodes, the chest, or distant organs.
Q3. What is the role of genetic testing in recurrence risk?
A. Genetic testing can identify mutation that increases the chances of breast cancer recurrence. This knowledge will help your medical team to personalise your treatment.
Q4. Can immunotherapy be the best option for breast cancer recurrence treatment?
A. It is a treatment option for triple-negative breast cancer. It boosts the immune system to fight the cancer cells. It is also used in recurrent and advanced cases.
Q5. What is the best breast cancer recurrence treatment?
A. The best breast cancer recurrence treatment will depend on the location of the cancer where it has recurred.
Q6. What are the different options for breast cancer recurrence treatment?
A. Treatment options depend on the location and extent of the recurrence and may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.
Q7. Can breast cancer recurrence treatment be different from the initial treatment?
A. Yes, the breast cancer recurrence treatment approach may change based on the type of recurrence, prior treatments received, and how the cancer responds to therapy.
Q8. Does early detection help improve the success of breast cancer recurrence treatment?
A. Yes, detecting recurrence early allows for timely treatment, which can improve outcomes and in turn, increase the chances of long-term remission.
References
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5585941/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8277662/#:~:text=SSB%20and%20ASB%20consumption%20after%20diagnosis%20and%20survival,all%2Dcause%20mortality%20(vs
Estrogen a more powerful breast cancer culprit than we realized
https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/breast-cancer-survival-exercise
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/living-as-a-breast-cancer-survivor/follow-up-care-after-breast-cancer-treatment.html
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2988633/#:~:text=Consuming%20three%20to%20four%20alcoholic,breast%20cancer%20death%20were%20suggested
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8902439/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6335046/
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/types-of-breast-cancer/inflammatory-breast-cancer.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/treatment/treatment-of-breast-cancer-by-stage/treatment-of-recurrent-breast-cancer.html
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8462537/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-recurrence
Relevant Articles For You
Debunking 7 Myths Related To Breast Cancer Treatment
With the advancement in technology and surgical intervention along with the right information and precaution, women are now…..Read More
7 Ways To Save Your Breast After Breast Cancer Surgery
You can decrease your chance of losing a part or your whole breast to breast cancer by detecting the cancer at an early…..Read More
Recommendations To Understand Different Treatments
Breast Cancer Treatment In India
Breast cancer treatment can be a combination of therapies or a single treatment which depends on the stage and…..Read More
Proton Therapy For Breast Cancer
Proton therapy for breast cancer in India is changing the cancer care scene. It is an advanced and affordable treatment…..Read More
Medically Reviewed By MedicoExperts Editorial & Clinical Review Board On 6 March 2024
