Two of the most common questions women ask after breast cancer treatment ends is typically, “when will my life be normal again?” and “am I cured?” If a woman has undergone chemotherapy it is not uncommon for it to take upwards of one year before she is feeling back to normal with improved overall endurance and strength

How long does it take to fully recover from breast cancer?

It may take up to about 8 weeks for bruising and swelling to go away. Try to be patient as you wait to see the final result. It may take as long as 1 to 2 years for tissues to heal fully and scars to fade (the scars never go away completely). Ask when you can go back to wearing regular bras.

What happens after breast cancer treatment finishes?

Breast cancer and its treatments can cause changes to your body and the way you look. For example, after surgery youll be left with a scar or scars. You may have lost your hair if you had chemotherapy. Many people also put on weight during or after treatment.

What are the long term effects of breast cancer?

Long-term physical changes include anatomic changes, chronic pain, phantom breast pain, axillary web syndrome, and lymphedema. In addition, women may have decreased strength, aerobic capacity, mobility, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction.

Which type of breast cancer is most likely to recur?

Among patients who were recurrence-free when they stopped endocrine therapy after five years, the highest risk of recurrence was for those with originally large tumors and cancer that had spread to four or more lymph nodes. These women had a 40 percent risk of a distant cancer recurrence over the next 15 years.

What is the consequences of breast cancer?

Lung, Liver, and Other Organs. Sometimes breast cancer spreads, or metastasizes, through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. It can lead to tumors in your brain, bones, liver, lung, and elsewhere.

Does having breast cancer shorten life expectancy?

The 5-year survival rate for women diagnosed with localized breast cancer is about 99 percent. For women who are diagnosed with regional breast cancer, that figure drops to about 86 percent. Women who are diagnosed with distant breast cancer have about a 28 percent likelihood of surviving for 5 years.

Is cancer worse the second time?

Doctors cant predict if your specific cancer will recur. But they do know cancers are more likely to come back if they grow fast or are advanced. The treatment you originally had may also affect your chances of recurrence. Some types of cancer are more likely to come back than others.

What does the pain feel like when you have breast cancer?

Breast cancer can cause changes in skin cells that lead to feelings of pain, tenderness, and discomfort in the breast. Although breast cancer is often painless, it is important not to ignore any signs or symptoms that could be due to breast cancer. Some people may describe the pain as a burning sensation.

What are the chances of getting breast cancer a second time?

The risk of developing a second breast cancer on the opposite breast for patients who test positive for the BRCA mutation is approximately 3% per year, or 60% in 20 years, and many of these women do opt for preventive mastectomy.

How can a woman tell if she has breast cancer?

Skin changes, such as swelling, redness, or other visible differences in one or both breasts. An increase in size or change in shape of the breast(s) Changes in the appearance of one or both nipples. Nipple discharge other than breast milk.