After treatment is completed, all breast cancer patients need regular follow-up.
Many patients feel that after treatment is over, what is the point of always going to the hospital, which is a very misconception. In fact, regular follow-up after treatment is a very important part of the overall treatment for breast cancer patients. Follow-up can detect problems in the initial treatment and early detection of recurrence and metastasis of breast cancer. In addition, some breast cancer patients need long-term endocrine therapy, during which other diseases such as endometrial cancer and osteoporosis may occur, and regular follow-up helps to “detect, diagnose, and treat” abnormalities.
The frequency of follow-up visits and examinations depend on the stage of the breast cancer, the treatment received and current treatment, and the patient’s general health. Overall, patients need to be followed up every 3 months for the first 2 years after the end of treatment and every 6 months for 3 to 5 years after surgery. More than 5 years after surgery, follow-up will be once a year for life. If there are any abnormalities, they should be seen promptly without being bound to a fixed time.
The reason for follow-up is that physicians want to check for recurrence of breast cancer, the development of contralateral breast cancer, metastases to other sites, assess physical and psychological adverse effects, and be aware of adverse effects associated with specific treatments (e.g., endocrine therapy, targeted therapy, etc.), so physical examinations, laboratory tests, and imaging are usually performed.
In addition, the physician will provide lifestyle advice based on the patient’s comorbidities and general health status. Regular follow-up can help identify recurrent breast cancer metastases early enough to intervene, can identify and improve treatment-related adverse effects, and can help breast cancer patients achieve a healthier lifestyle and a better sense of control over themselves.
