Breast cancer return after mastectomy

Well, this is something I wanted to talk to my G.P. about when he rings me about something in my Oncology letter he was sent. I had 3 yearly mammograms which revealed nothing sinister after having biopsies in one breast  which revealed no malignancy in a strange looking lump. I then found several years later that I had developed aggressive cancers in both breasts and wonder how they developed so fast that I needed a mastectomy and a mamoplasty. I feel I should have had yearly mammograms. I was never told I had dense breasts until this time, when there was a real problem.  A person who has had a problem which was not actually cancer should be offered yearly mammograms in my view. It would actually save the NHS money and show up problems early. I was never able to feel any lumps myself and I still don't think I will. I would love to have more regular checks after all the treatment I have had to have. I don't like to use the word "suffer" but it's certainly no fun and very very time consuming and worrying. My radiologist lead said no to MRI in the future and told me to ask my Oncologist - passed the buck in other words.

Hi Tannmore. Thantyou for your post and I'm so sorry to hear you have a reaccourance of cancer . I had a bilateral maesectomy in August and node clearance.  I was told that it could come back and I have a follow up every year with my surgeon and ten years of checks by the breast center in Llandough . However, I'm not really aware what the checkup appointments are going to entail?. I was thinking an ultrasound or scan . But I'm not sure and so far I haven't had any MRI or CT scan at all which I don't understand? I would be very interested in your campaign 

Jayne x 

Hi, definitely something I would support. Yearly checks are vital for ladies to keep ok top of things, so many parts which could bring all sorts too. Where do we start? From the GP...? We really can't Bury heads on the sand anymore. Or is there an online petition we can raise? 

I am so sorry that you find yourself here again. 

C x

Government petition how do we do that? 

I’m so sorry to hear bc has come back. I haven’t had a mastectomy but I would still certainly support a campaign. I wonder if getting some charity like prevent breast cancer involved - may be a good place to start? I know on Lorraine programme they have been doing a lot of awareness so they may be interested to support this. I follow - thetittygritty on Instagram as she works on the Lorraine show and has done so much to raise awareness having had breast cancer herself.  They may all help to start a campaign. Sorry I’m not much help Ive never done anything like this before but I really want to do more to prevent other women having to go through this. I thought after I’ve finished treatment I would speak to my gp about having a programme of info for woman about reducing risk factors. Definitely more needs to be done. Hope all your treatment goes ok- sending love. 

Hi Tannsmore I’m sorry to hear that you have had a recurrence and I hope your treatments keep you well.  

Change.org might be a good way of getting support and also I’d suggest checking out Breast Cancer Now who often have news on upcoming research which is how I found about Change.org looking at ERSO from Bayer (sounds very promising for the future).

Wishing you all the very best x

Hi Tannsmore,

Just seen this. Sorry to hear that you're going through such an awful time. 

Did anything come off your plan to start a campaign? Is there a petition or anything to sign? I would happily get involved in this.

Hi everyone . Reading these posts on this thread with both sympathy and interest . I am currently having RT on both breasts since having lumpectomy on both in September .

I would like to know what the statistics are for cancer coming back ?

I know I will be on Lettezole  following treatment for. 5 years but other than that haven’t a clue what the rest of treatment looks like . 
Would be happy to help with preventive cancer programme for women .

Penelope xxx

Generally the stats for secondary breast cancer are 4-6%, across the population of breast cancer patients. The stats are the same if you’ve had mastectomy or lumpectomy + radiotherapy. There is already a lively campaign going to raise awareness of secondary breast cancer, run by Breast Cancer Care UK. Secondary breast cancer can spring up anywhere so the symptoms can vary wildly, and can be difficult to diagnose, so we all need to be aware if we get worrying symptoms and always remind our doctors that we’ve had breast cancer and so are at higher risk.

However, those of us going through primary breast cancer (ie breast cancer confined to the breasts, even if it’s a second breast effected) we need to remember that 94% of us will be ok. And those who are not so lucky, treatments for secondary breast cancer are improving all the time.

Ok thank you -Ana-. 
its always good to know these things .

Dont suppose you know or anyone else if the risk is higher if you have had simultaneous cancer tumours in both breasts ?

Apparently I was in the 5% if women who have that . 
It’s all a worry xxxxx