s not mean the cancer has spread.You should also continue self examination of the breasts after surgery. This should be done once a monthThe risk of recurrence of breast cancer has gone down in recent years. Search for a qualified and capable doctor who will provide thorough medical care while taking into account your expressed wishes. The following exams should be performed to search for a recurrence-every six months a physical exam is necessary-a blood count should be performed every six months-a mammogram should be given at least once a year-if the patient had a mastectomy, the remaining breast should be x-rayed .-if the patient had a lumpectomy, both breast should be x-rayed-a chest x-ray, to detect cancer spread to the lung, should be performed once a year-if the initial cancer was invasive, a bone scan is necessary to establish whether any cancer has spread to the bone-back, joint, or other bone pains are symptoms which require an immediate bone scanmost local occurrences, as well as most cancer spread, occur in the first two top three years after surgeryWomen who have advanced cases of cancer, ten years without a recurrence suggest, although does not guarantee, there will be none. These women can scale back their follow up exams to an annual basis only after ten yearsthe risk factors that played a role in the original cancer may still be present after treatmenta woman is at risk of breast cancer recurrence her entire life. Thus it is necessary to have regular follow up exams.The frequency and intensity of the follow up exams depend on the extent of the original cancerBreast cancer has a tendency to recur locally and spread to other parts of the bodySearching for a recurrence is especially important the first five yearsEven after a mastectomy, cancer can recur where the breast used to be. It can also recur in the lymph nodes in the underarm and neck.distant recurrence is the term used to describe cancer which has spread to other...
