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Could my triple negative breast cancer return? I'm worried about my next mammogram being in 3 years time

lisas1
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I had a triple negative breast cancer. I was treated in 2021 with chemo, operation and radiotherapy. It was 2.8cms, stage 2. Thera was no evidence of spread. I had a lumpectomy. I was told at the time I had dense breast tissue. I can’t believe I am cancer free. I’ve just had a mammogram. I’ve been told it’s likely the last for three years. I am so scared of not having regular checks and can’t believe this cancer won’t be hiding somewhere else in my body. I wish I’d had a mastectomy but I was convinced by the surgeon the risk was the same with or without my breasts. But I don’t understand this. With such a vicious cancer type, I don’t feel safe. 

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    Hi Lisaspeke,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    First of all, let me stress that I am not a doctor.

    In answer to your question, yes, any cancer can return and some are more likely to do so than others. However, there is no way to predict which will and which won't. I had pure mucosal breast cancer, stage 1, with no lymph node involvement. This is one of the less aggressive types, but I had 2 diagnoses of breast cancer and 1 of pre-cancer, all within a year of one another. I had a lumpectomy first time around and a double mastectomy after that.

    It is scary when you stop having regular checks. You just need to be alert to any changes yourself and return for further investigation, if you notice anything. Most surgeons would offer the same advice re lumpectomy versus mastectomy. I am now 15 years down the line and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life. Like you, I would prefer to have some regular screening available for life, but funding priorities seem to be in other areas of cancer at present. 

    One reassuring thing to hold on to is that you have had no evidence of spread and I sincerely hope that this continues to be the case.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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    Hi Lisaspeke,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    First of all, let me stress that I am not a doctor.

    In answer to your question, yes, any cancer can return and some are more likely to do so than others. However, there is no way to predict which will and which won't. I had pure mucosal breast cancer, stage 1, with no lymph node involvement. This is one of the less aggressive types, but I had 2 diagnoses of breast cancer and 1 of pre-cancer, all within a year of one another. I had a lumpectomy first time around and a double mastectomy after that.

    It is scary when you stop having regular checks. You just need to be alert to any changes yourself and return for further investigation, if you notice anything. Most surgeons would offer the same advice re lumpectomy versus mastectomy. I am now 15 years down the line and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life. Like you, I would prefer to have some regular screening available for life, but funding priorities seem to be in other areas of cancer at present. 

    One reassuring thing to hold on to is that you have had no evidence of spread and I sincerely hope that this continues to be the case.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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