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A what point can you say, I’m cancer free? Is it once the tumor is removed? After chemotherapy or other treatments?
Answer Summary
Members shared their thoughts on when someone can truly say they are cancer free, with most agreeing that doctors prefer the term NED, meaning... Read more
My team has been very clear to say that they do NOT tell us we are "cancer free" after treatment, because "all it takes is one rogue cancer cell that escaped before, during, or after treatment, to stay dormant for a while in our bodies and then awaken at a later date". It's why they have us do more scans after our surgeries, to find anything else that might be happening, early, and then do more treatment. Cancer cells are "sneaky". Please understand that all of the after treatments and appointments are very important, so don't ignore them. Stick with it. I am one year out, never had to have chemo or radiation, but now I have a bump that is "probably benign" by a mastectomy scar and I am going to do a biopsy in a few days. I don't want to gamble with anything. I want it out of me. And then I will be waiting a few days after, for the lab results. Grateful for all of the advances in preventive medicine. We fight.
@A MyBCTeam Member It's a great quote- I always remind myself God will heal me- if not in this lifetime, when we meet after! Hugs!
@A MyBCTeam Member Since the doctors can't point to anything with us HER2+ gals that started this mess, I have to accept that for some reason my immune system did not pick up on this mutated cell situation. When the immune system is working properly, these are noticed, and destroyed. So, the best I can do, is to improve my diet and lifestyle to support a healthier immune system. So, far, so good! Now 6 years out of treatment will all good images, and the PCP is thrilled with bloodwork that shows within normal on just about everything- with very low indicators of inflammation. She just keeps telling me to keep doing what I am doing! Taking that as a win, as it lowers risk for so many other issues besides cancer! Hugs!
Hi Pamela,
I understand your anxiety. I had a mastectomy in Sept. 2022, and have been on anastrozole for four years. My mammograms have all been good. I thought I could relax. A year ago, I was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine carcinoma in my lung ( not related to the BC), and had a lobectomy in January of this year, In September they found a new suspicious spot in my lung and I'm having a bronchoscopy and biopsy this Thursday. For some reason, I'm more worried about this than either of the prior diagnoses. I'm trying to remain calm. I keep reminding myself of St. Padre Pio's quote "Pray, hope and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer". I'm sorry to keep repeating this quote, but I have to keep reminding my self. I am in God's hands, and you are, too.
@A MyBCTeam Member ........ For some patients it is a matter of "when" the cancer returns, not "if" the cancer returns, but that is the exception, not the rule. I happen to be in the "when" category having had cancer 6 times now,breast cancer twice and endometrial cancer 4 times so Godzilla has been living large with me (plus Blue Oyster Cults "Godzilla" song is going through my head now, lol). I also have a CHEK2 mutation which makes it more likely for a person to get cancer. My oncologists have said that's a big part of why I keep getting cancer. As a result of my circumstances I opt to go the aggressive route when treating any cancers that show up. My 1st recurrence I found myself. My other 3 recurrences were found via the PET scans I get on a regular basis. It was when I had my 1st recurrence that I became really aggressive when it comes to my cancer treatments. When I get diagnosed I'm on top of it. I don't wait for people to call me and make appointments. I call them and get the tests I need ordered. I call them and get any necessary appointments for testing and surgery scheduled. Statistically I shouldn't be here, but I'm still kicking and screaming and living my life. I'm stubborn, I'm outspoken, I research everything because knowledge is power, I advocate for myself, and I call out and/or fire medical professionals that make mistakes in my care. This is me and my story, but it isn't necessarily your story.
The odds are higher that a breast cancer patient won't have a recurrence though. There's a ton of factors involved like what stage at diagnosis, was cancer in any lymph nodes, do you have gene defects, is the cancer aggressive, what's your hormone status, what's your HER2 status, did you follow the recommendations from your oncologists that give the best odds of beating your particular cancer like having chemo, radiation, taking AIs, do you go to your follow up appointments and scans, do you research your particular cancer and treatment options, do you advocate for yourself, etc.
Just do everything you can to kill your cancer and keep it from returning. Odds are in most women's favor that it will be a one and done situation. I'm really liking your Godzilla analogy. It makes for a great anti-cancer theme song. So I'll leave you with,
"Oh no, they say he's got to go
Go, go Godzilla, yeah
Oh no, there goes Tokyo
Go, go Godzilla, yeah"
Sending prayers to you Susan196 🥰🙏
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