When do you get told you are in Remission / Clear?

Hi Sazzy welcome to the forum and sorry to hear about how worried that you are. Its interesting isn't it I think we all want to hear that being said but all you will likely get is "no evidence of disease" which will most likely follow in the letter after your yearly Mammograms.

Its hard though because you want somebody to tell you its all gone and you are now cured and that you are in the clear, but they dont use the words you are looking to hear. It is common for no further follow ups after the treatment finishes and its a challenging time especially I think that first year before the 1st Mammogram.

The feelings will go but it is early days yet for you but hey you are out the other side so lots to be thankful for and dont let Cancer win as you control your life not Cancer ,. However please be assured that you are not alone in how and what you are thinking . 

In May 2015 age 51 I was recalled from my first rountine screening mammogram for 2 areas of calcification (10mm & 5mm).   I was diagnosed with intermediate DCIS in the 10mm area only.  The smaller area was benign.  I had a WLE in July and 15 sessions of radiotherapy in September.  11mm high grade DCIS was final diagnosis after surgery.   

June 2016 mammogram  all clear at annual check up.  I'm a NEDDY - no evidence of disease. 

July 17 now a two year NEDDY (No evidence of disease)

Oct 18 after a biopsy on good boob and a few additional views I’m a 3 year NEDDY.  And breathe!

Summer  2019 I took early retirement.because I could access pension!

Oct 19 now age 55 and a 4 years, 4 months NEDDY

Nov 20 another year older but still a NEDDY.  5 year milestone reached so signed off from annual mammogram.  

Hi Sazzy I had chemo, surgery and radiotherapy and am now on Letrolze for 10 years and Zoladex for 3 years. I know there were “no active cancer cells” after surgery and that's as good as it gets. My oncologist explained that the term remission is usually used to describe blood cancers so she doesn’t use that, but “no evidence of disease” as the others have said, is the term we are all hoping for.

I think it's frustrating not to hear the words we want sometimes, but from my personal perspective I accept there's a risk and I am doing all I can to manage it and I certainly don't let this get in the way of life.  Best wishes 

I had my first follow up mammogram in May, exactly one year after my diagnosis. The results letter said "Your mammogram showed no worrying features". I thought to myself that was a rather strange turn of phrase rather than "No evidence of disease".

Hi Sazzy.  I think what you are feeling is probably quite common; there's a flurry of appointments and treatments, then nothing for months until the first mammogram after surgery.  I was only thinking earlier this week that I wish there was a follow-up appointment halfway between the end of active treatment and that first mammogram - and I know that's not going to happen as the NHS is stretched enough - but it would be a comfort to know that they hadn't forgotten us.

Best wishes

Hi just reached 12 months from start of my BC journey ,had ops, radio, full bone scan at 9 months and got told after scan I was clear of cancer and now on  tamoxifen for 5 years, just had 1st yearly mammogram. Kind regards    

Hi Sassy, I have 2 friends, both at same treatment stage as me and both from different counties.  They have both been told they’re ‘clear of disease’ after CT, RT and a follow up mammogram but I haven’t had a mammogram since finishing RT in early Sept. I have an app with my oncologist 30th November. I’m wondering what is he going to talk to me about without any info?!

I was diagnosed with stage 2 in October 2021 and had. Lumpectomy and lymph node removal in December 2021 followed by radiotherapy and bone scan.  I had a full CT scan prior to surgery.  I was told that my CT was clear and that the lymph nodes were clear and the margins around my tumour were clear.  I will have a follow up mammogram in December.  I feel lucky to be where I am in my journey and hopefully if my mammogram is clear I can relax a bit.  It is normal to have your first check mammogram one year post surgery.  It is normal to feel anxious and scared, but I try to focus on enjoying my life and take heart from all the encouraging long term survivor stories on this form.  I do hope all goes well for you.