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Monitoring guidelines for mucinous breast cancer

Loulago
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Hi. I was diagnosed with mucinous breast cancer in 2018 and treated with wide excision, lymph nodes checked and followed by radiotherapy and Letrazole. I took Letrozole for 4 years but the side effects became too much and after consulting with my oncologist, I stopped. All mammograms since have been clear and I’m now on a 3 yearly recall. My question is this- given that mucinous tumours are difficult to feel, should I be being screened annually and which is more likely to detect a mucinous tumour, mammogram or ultrasound ? Many thanks. 

  • Hello and thank you for posting.

    I'm sorry about your concerns in regards to follow-up since your mucinous breast cancer.

    Your hospital team will be aware of how best to follow you up after a treatment has finished and you are past the 5-year window. The general guidance is for a mammogram every 3 years after the yearly til 5-years follow-up as that is when you are most likely to get a recurrence of your cancer.

    In the meantime, concerns about changes in your breasts should be dealt with by your GP. 

    Take care and if you are further concerned about your follow up do talk to your doctor.

    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 9 am till 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

    Sarah.

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    Hi Loulago,

    A very warm welcome to our forum. 

    I am glad to hear that you have remained cancer free since your surgery in 2018. I have had 2 bouts of mucinous breast cancer, which occurred in the same breast, within a year of each other. The protocol for screening seems to be an annual check after your surgery, followed by further checks every 3 years, until you have been cancer free for 5 years. At that time the screening stops. If you notice new changes after this, you need to get re-referred or contact your breast clinic. 

    Mucinous cancers can be difficult to detect on ultrasound and CT scans. I must confess that I found both of mine myself and they were really quite easy to feel. We are fortunate in that mucinous cancer is one of the less aggressive cancers and resources are naturally pumped into the more aggressive strains, as it should be. I am now 14 years down the line and found the hardest part, was when the scans stopped and I felt so alone. 

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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