Hello LilyC and thanks for posting

I am sorry to read about your partner's situation. This must be an incredible difficult time for you both.

Unfortunately, cancer has the ability to come back during or after initial treatment. People can be told they are clear from cancer, or the cancer has shrunk but unfortunately there is no guarantee that things will always stay that way. Sometimes, tiny cancer cells can escape from the tumour and if they survive, later on they can develop in another part of the body and start to grow to create a secondary cancer ( metastasise).Secondary cancers can only be picked up on scans when they are big enough to be seen. Small amounts of stray cancer cells cannot easily be detected.

We have some information on our website on how cancer has the ability to spread by clicking here.

Your partner's specialist team are really better placed to advise you both further as they are familiar with all her medical details. If she has a specialist nurse involved in her care then perhaps they can provide you with further information. You often have to call and leave them a message and they will get back to you.

I hope this has been of some use at this very difficult time. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Kind regards,

Celene