When can I say I don't have cancer anymore????

Hi HensDancing

I had a operation last September to remove a cancerous tumour and I reckon that I've been cancer free since then.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi HensDancing

Had my op in April and as soon as I was told my results were, thankfully, clear margins and clear lymph nodes then as far as I was concerned I didn’t have cancer any more. The radiotherapy I’ve had and ongoing medication I view as purely preventative. May not be medically correct, and others may view things very differently, but that’s how I see things for me. x

I agree with the others, as soon as the cancer has been removed I classed myself as cancer free, post operative radiotherapy and hormone therapies are classed as preventative. Things may have changed since my treatment but as I understand it some hospitals ring a bell after chemo but I’ve never heard of it after radiotherapy. In my area we don’t ring bells after any treatment ends so I do know it varies from hospital to hospital. I think mentally cancer takes a long time to get over (if fully ever) beyond being cancer free. All the best to you x

Hi HensDancing,

I had the same as you and am also on five years of hormone therapy, after I had finished my radiotherapy, I was told the cancer was gone by the Doctor, so for me that was when I knew I was clear. However, we are all different and know are own bodies, but just to hear it from a  professional is great.

I didn’t ring a bell, think that maybe for people who have finished they’re chemotherapy. As for feeling line it’s not over, I know what you mean and this does take time and one day at a time. I have just read a paper by Dr Peter Harvey, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Leeds University Hospital, called ‘After The Treatments Over - What Now’ and he hits every nail on the head. Oh and don’t worry, it’s easy read, not full of medical jargon and simple to understand - Itnink it will be of help to you, it’s easy to find on Google.

Please keep in touch with your Dr or Breast Cancer Nurse, they contact me regularly and it helps to vent any worries you may have. I also do a daily diary, this is mega helpful as it lets you get things off your chest and out of your system. If you haven’t already, please ring Macmillan 0808 808 0000, they are super helpful and do walk, talks, help with benefits, bills and do coffee and chat 10-4, Monday to Friday. A lisn’t if the centres is on this site.

I wish you the best of luck with everything and remember, you are never alone.

Love and big hugs.xx

Thank you for your perspective xx

Thank you for your reply. I think because I had cancer in 2 out of 3 lymph nodes, I don't feel as though my cancer is gone and that it is being treated still by the radiotherapy.   Think I need to have a chat with my oncologist!  Thank you for your thoughts. xx

Thank you for your reply.  I think because my tumour was removed successfully but they found cancer in the lymph nodes, that I don't feel that it has all been removed.  I think I will get some clarification from the oncologist when I see them on Tuesday.  Thank you for your thoughts xx

Thank you for your reply.  I think I need to hear it from a professional the same as you.  Since the cancer was also found in my lymph nodes I feel as though the radiotherapy is not just preventative but also to zap any cancer cells that may remain.  I think I need clarification from my oncologist.  Thank you for you perspective xx

Anytime HensDancing, feel free to chat here when you like.

We’re all in this together.xxx