Life After Breast Cancer: What to Expect When Treatment Ends

You can be in ve treatment for breast cancer one day and not the next. You may experience an immediate sensation of relief and appreciation that you are still alive and that the worst is gone.

At the same time, you are still experiencing treatment-related adverse effects. It takes time to heal. Medical appointments continue to fill your calendar because there is a danger of recurrence. You might have anticipated to feel "normal" at this stage, but that isn't the case. Neither physically nor emotionally.

Because the first focus is on therapy, the side effects might be rather surprising. You may be concerned about living up to your own and others' standards. If you're caught in a hazy gray zone after completing breast cancer treatment, you're not alone.

While everyone's experience is unique, this article will discuss some of the most typical obstacles of life after breast cancer.


Lasting physical effects of treatment

Depending on the kind and stage of your breast cancer, your treatment may have included
  • one or more operations
  • chemotherapy and radiotherapy
  • hormone replacement
  •  therapy or targeted therapie

Each has its own set of potential short- and long-term negative effects.

Dr. Yuri Fesko is a Quest Diagnostics oncologist and senior medical director of oncology and pharma services. According to him, adverse effects can appear months or even years after treatment has ended.

"What side effects patients encounter may vary depending on the sort of treatment they received," he explains.

According to Fesko, some of the most prevalent side effects of breast cancer treatment include:
  • fatigue
  • alterations in the appearance and feel of the breast following surgery
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • bone density loss
  • Menopause symptoms or early menopause
  • Weight gain is caused by infertility and a lack of sex.

"It's important to note that each patient's experience is unique, so even if two people have the same diagnosis and receive the same treatment, how their bodies react and the side effects they experience or are influenced by might be completely different," Fesko explains.


Survival preparation

Fesko advises creating a survivorship strategy with your care team that includes these elements:
  • details about your treatment, such as your precise diagnosis and tumor characteristics
  • Any continuing monitoring of the treatment (screening and diagnostics)
  • possible long-term negative effects
  • Support services 
  •  follow-up care guidelines
"Understanding the potential side effects of treatment and knowing what to do about them might help alleviate worry," Fesko says.


Long-term emotional and mental consequences

A look ahead to 2022 Breast cancer survivors have an increased risk of: According to a trusted source of 60 studies, as compared to women who have never had cancer, breast cancer survivors have an increased risk of:
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • suicide
  • neurological dysfunction
  • sexual impotence
"The combination of physical and mental impacts can have an influence on overall quality of life," Fesko explains. "Support groups, as well as other tools and services, are available to help patients navigate and manage these adverse effects."



Fear of recurrence

Anyone who has had breast cancer faces the possibility of recurrence. A person's risk level is determined by factors such as the type of breast cancer, stage at diagnosis, and type of treatment.

Following treatment, your doctor will establish a monitoring plan and educate you on recurrence symptoms. These symptoms may occur depending on where the cancer recurs.

It is critical to be vigilant, adhere to the screening schedule, and report any new symptoms. However, for some people, the prospect of a recurrence might be overpowering.

Dr. Anita Johnson is the chief of surgery at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Atlanta and the director of the Women's Cancer Center. According to Johnson, worry of recurrence is practically ubiquitous among cancer patients.

"It's driven by a number of factors, including the expected risk of recurrence, young age, and post-treatment psychosocial adjustment," she explains.

"At the mild end, patients may have passing thoughts of cancer." However, at moderate to severe levels, people may suffer from an inability to manage more frequent recurring thoughts, producing intrusive distress in daily life as well as emotions of hopelessness and despair," says Johnson
 .

Maintaining a support network

Connecting with others is different for some people after breast cancer.

"Even some cancer patients and survivors have unique experiences and require unique sorts of support." "I had to extend grace to those who didn't know what to say or how to assist," she explains.

"Losing my hair and breasts was extremely difficult, and some make light of it by saying, 'At least you get new boobs,' or 'At least you don't have to fix your hair.' You can put on a wig or a scarf.'

"You have to realize that people may not say the appropriate things, so grace comes in," Angel explains.

Angel believes that you should surround yourself with the people that bring you the greatest peace, whether it's a breast cancer support group or simply interacting with friends and family.


Developing realistic optimism

In its early stages, breast cancer is often curable. Treatment for advanced breast cancer is ongoing forever. And, no matter how many gorgeous pink ribbons you tie on it, this illness claims at least 42,500 lives in the United States each year.

In addition to the long-term physical and emotional repercussions, survivors may face considerable financial challenges as a result of missed income and medical expenditures.

That's a lot to take in.

As you deal with these concerns, you may have been urged to be "grateful" that you were diagnosed with breast cancer rather than a "worse" malignancy. Perhaps you've been told that all you need to "defeat it" is a good mindset.

Although these words may have good intentions, they might come out as contemptuous. They should be taken with a grain of salt.

You have cancer, but you are so much more. And, ready or not, life's other problems continue to present themselves. That means you can still experience — and express — the whole range of human emotions.

You may have a cheerful attitude while also feeling unhappy, angry, or disappointed. It's not essential to deny or hide your emotions.

It's all about striking a good balance.


The bottom line


While certain difficulties are nearly ubiquitous, your post-treatment experience is unique to you and your specific circumstances.

The treatment itself might be taxing. Life after treatment may be extremely difficult in a completely different way. There is no "correct" way to think about it.

If you experience long-term side effects or difficulty adjusting to life after breast cancer, realize that it is not your fault. It's not unusual, and you don't have to face it alone.

Your healthcare team can assist you with the physical and mental side effects of breast cancer therapy.