Long Term Survivor

I am a 9 year survivor of Melanoma. I don't care what anyone says, the knowledge that you had cancer is always in the back of your mind. When confronted, yet again, with a friend, loved one, whatever newly diagnosed person, it brings the knowledge of your own cancer right to the front of the mind! I have found that along with the recommendations of Dr. Attai, that helping the newly diagnosed person is terrifically helpful in assuaging any of my own concerns of a re-occurance of my cancer. Depending on my relationship with the person before their diagnosis, I "get involved". That can mean anything from a phone call that lets them know I understand somewhat what they are going through + an offer to answer any questions or concerns that I can to really getting involved by taking them to treatment, doc, office, appts. I remember that of all the people who drove me back and forth to the infusion center and stayed with me, the ones that were the most helpful and who "got it" were the ones who had been through it themselves. The Cancer Club, I have found, is no club anyone wants to join, but once eligable, the membership is incredibly helpful, empathetic, supportive, and knowledgable. That's a great question. We used to focus on the "magic" 5-year or 10-year mark, and I think we did women a disservice. The risk of recurrence decreases the longer out you are from treatment, but there is always a risk of a new cancer developing, breast or elsewhere. Follow up recommendations will vary depending on the type of cancer, age of the patient, and other factors.

For breast cancer in general for long-term survivors, I recommend an annual clinical exam with your physician, as well as annual imaging (mammogram and possibly MRI depending on breast density and age). In addition, women who have been treated for breast cancer have a slightly higher risk of both colon and ovarian cancer, even if they do not test positive for a BRCA gene mutation, so regular gynecologic checkups and colonoscopy are also recommended.

In addition, I do recommend that women (and men) who have been treated for cancer take general good care of themselves! Maintaining a healthy weight, following a good balanced diet with moderation in alcohol intake, and obtaining regular exercise will not only help reduce the risk of other cancers developing, but these lifestyle factors will help reduce the risk of heart disease, which is actually more lethal for women than breast cancer. Also don't underestimate the role of chronic stress as a contributing factor to all disease states, so I do recommend that most patients try to incorporate some stress-reduction techniques into their daily routine. These last recommendations are not very high-tech, but can certainly be quite effective!

I recommend a yearly mammogram with clinical examination. Often also a dosage of Ca 15.3 biomarker, but I am not sure of its real utility I recommend a yearly mammogram with clinical examination. Often also a dosage of Ca 15.3 biomarker, but I am not sure of its real utility

At our center we follow our patients at multiple time intervals for at least up to 5-years. We recommend that patients follow with their breast surgeon and medical oncologist, as well. Typically any of those for physicians, or the gynecologist will schedule all follow-up diagnostic scans (mammogram, ultrasound, MRI). At our center we follow our patients at multiple time intervals for at least up to 5-years. We recommend that patients follow with their breast surgeon and medical oncologist, as well. Typically any of those for physicians, or the gynecologist will schedule all follow-up diagnostic scans (mammogram, ultrasound, MRI).