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7 Practical ways to prevent breast cancer recurrence

Do you have a fear of breast cancer recurrence?

Your concern is genuine. 

Breast cancer is a severe disease, and coming out of breast cancer takes a lot of effort, both physiologically and emotionally. By the nature of the disease, the possibilities of reoccurrence can’t be ruled out.

This fear of cancer progression or recurrence is actually a reason of decreased psychosocial adjustment, emotional distress, and a variety of physical symptoms.

You need a better understanding of the disease, why it reoccurs, what you can do to avoid the recurrence and the latest techniques that can help you avoid recurrence.

This understanding will help you prepare yourself in the best possible way to avoid any kind of recurrence and, even if it reoccurs, to identify it very early.

It’s like preparing yourself with all arms and arsenals for a probable enemy attack. The more you are prepared, the better will be your confidence level to defeat it. Moreover, you can take the right measures at the right time and preempt the possibility of the attack itself.

With the right precautions and readiness, you can confidently live your life with positive energies. This new way will keep you emotionally and physically strong, which in itself reduces the possibilities of recurrence. 

What causes the recurrence of breast cancer?

Breast cancer that returns after initial treatment is referred to as recurrent breast cancer. Even though the initial course of treatment aims to eradicate all cancer cells, some may have escaped and survived. Recurrent breast cancer develops as a result of these cancer cells growing undetected.

After your initial treatment, recurrent breast cancer may develop months or years later. Cancer may return locally (local recurrence) in the exact location as the initial cancer, or it may spread to other parts of your body (distant recurrence).

What are the different types of breast cancer recurrence?

1. Local recurrence

A local recurrence is where your original cancer returns in the same area.

If you’ve had a lumpectomy, cancer may come back in the breast tissue that is still present. If you’ve had a mastectomy, cancer may come back in the skin or the tissue that lines the chest wall.

2. Regional recurrence

When breast cancer returns locally, it has spread to the lymph nodes in the area.

3. Distant recurrence

A distant (metastatic) recurrence reflects the spread of cancer to distant organs, usually the bones, liver, lungs, or other body parts.

What are the signs and symptoms of recurrent breast cancer?

Depending on where cancer returns, there are different signs and symptoms of recurrent breast cancer

1. Signs and symptoms of Local recurrence

  1. A new breast lump or an unnaturally firm spot
  2. Alterations to your breast skin
  3. Nipple discharge
  4. Inflammation or a red spot on the breast skin
  5. Thickening near the surgical scar

2. Signs and symptoms of Regional recurrence

  1. Swelling in the lymph nodes under the arm, close to the breastbone, or the collarbone
  2. Persistent chest pain
  3. Having trouble swallowing.
  4. An arm or shoulder may experience pain, swelling, or numbness.

3. Signs and symptoms of Distant recurrence

  1. Constant cough
  2. Having trouble breathing
  3. Reduced appetite
  4. Loss of weight without effort
  5. Headaches
  6. Dizziness, seizures

How doctors reduce the possibility of breast cancer recurrence 

The following actions have been associated with a lower risk of breast cancer recurrence which doctors perform:

Hormone therapy: If you have hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, taking hormone therapy after your initial treatment may lower the risk of recurrence. The use of hormones may last for at least five years. 

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in breast cancer patients with a higher risk of cancer recurrence, and those who receive chemotherapy live longer.

Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy reduces the risk of cancer returning in patients who have undergone a breast-sparing operation, had a large tumor removed, or had inflammatory breast cancer.

Targeted therapy: Drugs targeting the extra HER2 protein your cancer produces may help lower your risk of the disease returning.

Please visit if you want to know more about Targeted therapy.

Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy (biologically based therapy) uses your body’s immune system to battle cancer.

Please visit if you want to know more about Immunotherapy.

How to prevent a breast cancer recurrence? 

Try incorporating these healthy tips to help yourself cope with the side effects of breast cancer treatment and lower your risk of breast cancer recurrence:

  1. Eat a balanced diet: 

Your general health improves when you consume a nutritious diet rich in whole foods. 

Every day, choose a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, fiber-rich foods like beans and peas, and whole grains like whole wheat bread and brown rice. Avoid or limit red or processed meat, as well as sugar-rich beverages.

Additionally, these foods can provide the energy you need as your body fights cancer.

  1. Regular Exercise:  

According to a recent study, your overall health will improve if you regularly exercise for even just 2.5 hours per week. It might also lessen the possibility of your cancer returning. 

Being active can lift your mood, increase self-confidence, and lessen fatigue. Even the symptoms of nausea, pain and diarrhea are relieved, along with anxiety and depression.

Running, walking, cardio exercises, strength training, and flexibility are all examples of exercise.

  1. Don’t skip follow-up care: 

You must still visit your doctor for follow-up screenings after completing your cancer treatments. After your treatment, you may have a regular check-up with your medical team. They do this so they can closely monitor any alterations that could indicate that your cancer has returned.

It’s crucial to take care of yourself by attending all of your follow-up appointments and getting any tests or screenings that your doctors advise, even if they have nothing to do with your cancer.

  1. Medication

If you have a high risk of developing cancer again after finishing treatment, your doctor may prescribe you specific medications to lower that risk. 

Do not skip the medication. Let’s understand how you can reduce your risk of breast cancer recurrence. 

  1. Maintain a healthy weight:

Overweight women have a higher risk of developing breast cancer again. You can minimize your risk of recurrence and improve your general health by maintaining a healthy weight.

  1. Limit alcohol:

According to research, there is a connection between moderate and heavy drinking and breast cancer. It has also been demonstrated that heavy drinking raises the body’s circulating estrogen levels. 

To lower their risk of recurrence, breast cancer survivors should keep their alcohol consumption to no more than one drink per day.

  1. Reduce stress:

It has been proven that finding ways to manage stress can increase overall survival. Every woman’s body is unique, and the same is true of her capacity to handle stress. 

You must identify realistic stress management strategies that suit your personality and way of life.

Some effective methods for reducing stress include:

  • Exercise
  • Support groups
  • Acupuncture
  • Mental health counseling
  • Gardening
  • Yoga
  • Drawing and craft

How is breast cancer recurrence diagnosed?

Breast cancer recurrence tests include:

– Blood tests for cancer tumor markers (proteins).
– Mammogram.
– Ultrasound.
– MRI, CT scan, or PET scan.
– Biopsy of the site of suspected recurrence.

You might require additional tests like bone scans or X-rays to check for cancer spread.

What is the survival rate for those who experience a recurrence of breast cancer?

After a breast cancer recurrence, survivorship is affected by numerous factors. Everybody’s scenario is unique.

Your chances of living five years after diagnosis are typical:

Localized breast cancer: 99%
Regional breast cancer: 86%
Distant (metastatic) breast cancer: 27%

What factors increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence?

The following factors raise the possibility of a recurrence:

Tumor size: Breast cancer that returns more frequently is more likely in people with larger tumors.

Lymph nodes are involved: Detecting cancer in nearby lymph nodes at the time of your original diagnosis increases your risk of cancer returning.

Not receiving radiation therapy after a lumpectomy: People who don’t receive radiation therapy are more likely to experience a localized breast cancer recurrence.

Younger age: Younger people have a higher risk of developing recurrent breast cancer, especially if they were under 35 at the initial diagnosis.

Inflammatory breast cancer: A higher risk of local recurrence exists in patients with inflammatory breast cancer.

Lack of Hormone Therapy: Not receiving endocrine therapy can increase the risk of recurrence in patients with a specific type of breast cancer.

Obesity: Your risk of recurrence increases with a higher body mass index.

Specific characteristics of cancer cells: A higher risk of breast cancer recurrence may exist if you had triple-negative breast cancer. The HER2 protein is not overproduced in triple-negative breast cancer cells, nor are they equipped with estrogen or progesterone receptors.

Author: MedicoExperts

A Global Virtual Hospital

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