When is follow-up after cancer treatment recommended for breast cancer?

Follow-up supports recovery and checks for treatment effects or changes that need assessment. Visits may include a breast and chest examination, discussion of symptoms, review of medicines and management of effects such as fatigue, pain, lymphoedema or menopausal symptoms. Your team will explain when breast imaging is due and whether additional tests are needed. The schedule can change according to the type of treatment, whether one or both breasts were treated, examination findings and your personal health needs.

Attend scheduled reviews and imaging, and keep a record of any new change in the breast, chest wall, scar or armpit. Mention swelling of an arm, persistent pain, numbness, breathlessness, or medicine side effects. Continue prescribed hormonal or other treatment as directed, and ask who manages non-cancer health concerns. Bring questions about exercise, work, fertility, sexual health or emotional support to the appointment.

Contact your breast care team promptly for a new lump or thickening, skin or nipple change, persistent bone pain, unexplained weight loss, or swelling in an arm. Seek urgent care for sudden severe breathlessness, chest pain, confusion or weakness. Do not wait for the next routine review when a new or worsening symptom concerns you.

Ask when your next clinical review and imaging are due, which treatment effects should be monitored, how long prescribed medicines are expected to continue, and whom to contact between visits.