Hi all,
This is probably a question I should've asked my oncologist at my last appointment but I chickened out a little.
Im 8 months post treatment and my last 2 scans have all been clear (thank God). Ive not really been considering the possibility of reoccurrence until now so I feel I need to ask, is a reoccurrence automatically terminal or can it still be cured?
Obviously hoping it never comes to that but I was already 3c so I just want to know what possibilities to prepare myself for
Cheers
Hi 123ghist and welcome to our group.
First off, I’d like to say that I think it’s important to consider the difference between the words terminal and incurable. Terminal means that a cancer cannot ever be cured and will lead to someone passing because there is no treatment that will prevent that happening. Incurable means that there are treatments available which can be used to control the cancer, which might not necessarily cure it but can be used to manage the condition and prolong life.
In answer to your question, a recurrence absolutely does not mean someone will automatically be given a terminal diagnosis. It’s good to read that you have had clear scans, but I can appreciate that there is always a degree of anxiety that the cancer might come back.
I was stage 2b at my original diagnosis and I had a recurrence 9 months after treatment finished. If you click on my name you can read my story, At my last appointment with my consultant she told me she now considers me cured, as I’ve gone more than 5 years without a further recurrence. So yes, it is possible to hear those words!
I had surgery, but if that hadn’t been possible there would still have been the option of chemotherapy or immunotherapy or potentially both to treat me.
I understand your concern about a possible future recurrence-I felt the same way myself-but it’s something that is a big “if” and it’s impossible to know whether it would happen in the future. As time goes on from clear results you may find it easier to relax about this, and I found it more helpful to concentrate on the positives rather than worrying about something which may never happen. Hopefully you won’t ever have to experience it and can get on with enjoying life in the present.
I hope you’re feeling well now after your treatment.
Sarah xx
