Hi Lara,

I found a large lump in my other breast 6 months post-surgery and had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. Only my left breast was examined. Just short of my annual one, I discovered another lump in the original breast and was given another mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. Thereafter, my annual check ups were only a physical examination of both breasts by a junior hospital doctor. I never felt that this was enough. These stop 5 years post-surgery and I've been left to my own devices ever since. 

Given the number of people who develop secondary breast cancer, I feel that monitoring post-surgery should be improved and prolonged, even if it was only once every 3 years after the 5 year check-ups stopped.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi , I don’t know if things change but my first BC 18 years ago the annual follow ups were mammogram to both breasts x

Jolamine thank you so much for reply and help as always xxx 

LCR thanks so much for reply and help oh no you haven’t got BC reoccurrence? Love Lara xx 

Sorry got locked out! Yes unfortunately BC is back after 18 years in same breast ! Awaiting DIEP Flap and mastectomy . 

LCR 

I’m so so sorry to hear this 18 years that’s crazy however I’m told it can come back after this time , this is why I don’t understand why they only do mamos 5 years after . 
how are you feeling ? X 

Yes , I had it at 45 grade 1 had WLE ( lumpectomy ) and radiation, didn’t go on Tamoxifen as it was so small . Regular annual screening for 5 years then onto normal screening programme which is when they picked up the recurrence so it has to be a mastectomy now .Both were hormone receptor positive . Thanks for your reply and kind words. I’m fairly positive and optimistic but have struggled a bit on Letrozole 

However I’m now taking all sorts of supplements to help and no managing a bit better. 

Hope you’re ok 

Hi thank you for your message . This one is a grade 2 this time , 9mm ( last one was 7 I think) not sure if any spread yet until I have surgery. Surgery has been held off for three months as I had to give up smoking otherwise there is a great risk that the flap will fail due to poor blood supply and previous radiotherapy . I’m very lucky in regard to having two surgeons willing to do the DIEP as most of them won’t . 
Btw screening continues until you are 70 , then I believe you can request a mammogram x Surgery will probably be Sept/Oct xx

Hi LCR,

I'm glad to hear that it is still only a grade 2, so is very treatable. It's always a worry until you get your post-surgery pathology results back. Do you know what type of breast cancer it is and is it the same as last time? 

How are you coping with quitting smoking? It makes sense that you need your blood supply to be as good as it can be before you have surgery. You are fortunate that your surgeons are willing to do the DIEP flap. It's an anxious wait for surgery until September, but I hope that it all goes well.

I had a double mastectomy second time around, so couldn't have a mammogram and wasn't offered an alternative.

Please keep in touch and let us know jhow you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx