How are breast cancer patients doing on review?

  (I) Principles 1. All breast cancer patients should receive regular review.  2.Each individual case is different and should be based on your specialist’s recommendation.  3.Time interval: about 1 year for early stage cancer; middle and late stage cancer should be reviewed within 6 months.  4.Common metastatic sites are bone, lung, supraclavicular neck lymph nodes, followed by liver, gastrointestine, brain, etc. Symptoms should be seen at any time.  5. The examination items should be decided by the specialist.  (II) Main contents of review 1. Ultrasound or mammography of both breasts and lymphatic drainage area: to understand whether there is local recurrence or contralateral cancer.  2.Chest X-ray, CT, MRI if necessary. 3.Abdominal ultrasound, CT, MRI if necessary. 4.Tumor markers CA125, CA153, etc.: it is meaningful to determine recurrence and metastasis for reference.  5.Bone scan of whole body: not recommended for early stage cancer without bone pain symptoms.  6.Head CT: not recommended for asymptomatic patients or early to mid-stage cancer patients.  (C) Precautions 1. Most breast cancers have good prognosis, and active recovery to normal life and work is encouraged after comprehensive treatment.  ER-positive breast cancer patients should avoid estrogen-containing foods.  3. Premenopausal patients receiving tamoxifen endocrine therapy should receive annual gynecological examination to understand the endometrium.  4. Those who receive aromatase inhibitor endocrine therapy after menopause are at increased risk of osteoporosis and should have their bone density checked if necessary.