Cancer Research UK main site

Follow up appointments after breast cancer treatment.

AnneC
Offline

I had my first follow up telephone consultation with an oncologist today following a lumpectomy and radiotherapy for early stage breast cancer.  I made the decision a few weeks ago to stop taking Letrozole as it appeared to be worsening some of the problems I've been having since totally unrelated major surgery 4 months ago. I don't wish to try an alternative.  As I was early stage I was told stopping it wouldn't really matter. I've now been discharged from follow up apart from yearly mammograms and an appointment next summer with the surgeon who did the lumpectomy.  For any other members who were early stage was your follow up appointment with the surgeon worth attending or was it basically just to ask you how you were doing?

  • Offline

    Hello AnneC, 

    It's great news that your cancer was caught so early and that you were able to stop Letrozole without it having any consequences. It must be a relief for you to have been discharged and to just have to do these yearly mammograms.  

    It is important though to keep your follow up appointments with the surgeon and all your yearly appointments. These are definitely worth attending just so that they keep in touch with you and how you are doing and keep on monitoring things closely. 

    If you ever needed to talk to our cancer nurses about anything, don't hesitate to give them a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

    I hope that you will hear from other members here who also went through early stage breast cancer and that they will be along shortly to share their story with you.

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie

    Hi Lucie,

    Thanks for your reply and advice.  I will go for yearly mammograms and depending on the results and the timing of the follow up appointment with the surgeon will consider attending that too.

    Anne

  • Offline in reply to AnneC

    Hi Anne my breast cancer didn't show on the mammogram, even though a high percentage do there are some  that don't. Please keep this in mind if you decide not to go for your follow up. If I hadn't felt the lump and just relied on the mammogram results I may not have been so lucky. It is definitely worth any one involved in the previous care to treat our cancer giving us a review, I certainly wouldn't miss it if it was me.

     

    Take care xx

  • Offline in reply to Kiera123

    Thanks for your reply Kiera.  I'm glad you found the lump in time and didn't rely purely on your mammogram results.  Mine was found during a routine mammogram, I didn't have a palpable lump.  I'll seriously consider the advice you've given me and won't make a rash decision.  

    Best wishes x

  • Offline in reply to AnneC

    Your welcome, take care xxx

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.