Who actually you your cancer free

Hi Jaxs 

I don't think anyone actually says "you're cancer free".  I seem to recall they just told me the operation was successful and it hadn't spread to my lymph nodes.  I'm now nearly 6 years post diagnosis and each year I just got the letter to say the mammogram was clear.  After my last mammogram, I got that letter and then a further letter (copied from the one they sent to my doctor) to stop my medication.  They did actually stop my Calcium and Vit D as well and it wasn't until I went for my 3 yr Dexa scan some months later, that the nurse told me that this shouldn't have been stopped, so I am back on that now.  But no-one has ever said the words of being cancer free - I guess you just know you are as you're not having any treatment for cancer (just any preventative medication).

Good luck with your annual - I do hope you get the thin letter in the post! 

Kindest Wishes, Lesley

No one said to me I was cancer free, I just assumed it was after surgery. I had chemo first, then surgery to remove the remaining cancer and I've considered myself cancer-free from then.

I think as part of the pathology results from surgery they said that there were good signs and results.

When I was discharged from oncology after radiotherapy, they just told me I was at high risk of developing cancer again in my lifetime as I was only mid-40s when diagnosed. Basically, you're OK now, but stay vigilant.

Re-iterating no one will ever tell you you are cancer free ( or cured), the best you can hear is NED, no evidence of disease. 

I agree stay vigilent and not just for Breast cancer, i got hit with an unrelated colon cancer 8 years later in 2021, no signs no symptoms just a random  positive .FIT test -very fortunate !

Oncologist told me “evidence shows it should not return”. They never say. All Clear. Also I don’t know what he based that on as I never had a blood test or any other investigation! But it is what it is! I wish you well xxx

My rubbish consultant didn't even tell me i had it so on that note, does that mean I've not had it. No one told me either just that the surgery had got it all and radiotherapy was as a preventative measure. Very much depends on staff and their bedside manner!

Is it worth ringing MacMillan Navigators and asking them to get some clarity for you?

I had my op approx 6 months ago and the radiotherapy oncologist sent me a letter to confirm there is no evidence of disease after the radiotherapy was completed.