{"id":1199,"date":"2021-03-06T16:28:14","date_gmt":"2021-03-06T16:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/?p=1199"},"modified":"2025-11-18T15:27:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T15:27:21","slug":"how-often-should-you-see-your-oncologist-after-the-first-breast-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/blog\/oncologist-after-the-first-breast-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"How Often Should You See Your Oncologist After the First Breast Cancer?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you have received treatment for breast cancer, the risk of developing the same cancer again is high. It can also spread to other parts of the body. Learning that you have recurrent breast cancer can be harder than dealing with the first diagnosis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This article focuses on the <\/span><a href=\"\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/breast-cancer-prevention-miami-florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">secondary prevention of breast cancer<\/span><\/a><b>, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">secondary breast cancer symptoms, and what you can expect during your follow-up appointments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Is The Difference Between Primary and Secondary Breast Cancer?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The first cancer that develops in the breast is known as \u2018primary breast cancer\u2019. Most breast cancer survivors don\u2019t get cancer again; however, the same cancer can develop again in the breasts in some cases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Other times, the first cancer can spread through the blood or lymphatic system to the lungs, brain, bones, and liver. This is known as secondary breast cancer, also known as advanced or metastatic breast cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Although it is possible to cure the first cancer, there is no cure for it if it spreads to other organs. However, we can treat it to control and slow down its spread, relieve symptoms, and give you the longest survival possible with the disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We treat secondary breast cancer with the same drugs we use to treat the first breast cancer. For example, if the cancer cells spread to the lungs, we don\u2019t prescribe drugs for lung cancer but prescribe those used for breast cancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Local Recurrence and Secondary Breast Cancer Symptoms<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When the cancer reappears in the same area as your primary cancer, you can experience the following symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nipple discharge.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A new lump in your breasts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Skin inflammation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you have been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, the symptoms can vary, as they depend on the location where the cancer has developed. Secondary breast cancer symptoms include:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Feeling breathless.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A cough that does not get better.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Feeling very tired.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Red and swollen skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Loss of balance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dizziness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Weakness.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Painless lump on the skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1201 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Local-Recurrence-and-Secondary-Breast-Cancer-Symptoms.jpg\" alt=\"Professional Male Oncologist Looking at the X-Ray Photo While Checking the Brain Tumor\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Local-Recurrence-and-Secondary-Breast-Cancer-Symptoms-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Local-Recurrence-and-Secondary-Breast-Cancer-Symptoms-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Local-Recurrence-and-Secondary-Breast-Cancer-Symptoms-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Local-Recurrence-and-Secondary-Breast-Cancer-Symptoms-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Local-Recurrence-and-Secondary-Breast-Cancer-Symptoms-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Local-Recurrence-and-Secondary-Breast-Cancer-Symptoms-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Local-Recurrence-and-Secondary-Breast-Cancer-Symptoms.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Risk Factors of Recurrent Breast Cancer<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you have received radiation therapy, it can spread to the lungs and blood.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For example, if you have had radiation therapy after a mastectomy (removal of breast tissue), the risk of lung cancer is high. It can also increase the risk of leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chemotherapy can increase the risk of secondary breast cancers, but the risk is low. This can also lead to leukemia and MDS, but the risk is higher if you have received chemo and radiation therapy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Lifestyle Modifications and Secondary Prevention of Breast Cancer<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Although we can\u2019t prevent cancers, you can implement the following lifestyle habits to lower the risks of first and second breast cancer. For example, you can:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Avoid smoking.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Exercise and avoid prolonged sitting.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Avoid drinking alcohol.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Follow a healthy diet.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In addition, we can perform tests to help us detect cancers in their early stages, or before you start experiencing any symptoms. We refer to these tests as \u2018secondary prevention of breast cancer<\/span><b>\u2019. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Mammograms: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you don\u2019t have any symptoms, you can get a screening mammogram to look for early signs of breast cancer. You can get a diagnostic mammogram if you have breast cancer symptoms or your doctor has seen a change on the screening mammogram. Diagnostic mammograms can treat women who have received a breast cancer diagnosis in the past.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Ultrasonography: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Breast ultrasounds can indicate whether there are any breast changes and fluid-filled cysts that we can\u2019t see on a mammogram. They can be helpful in identifying cysts that can be cancerous.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you have a high risk of developing breast cancer, we may recommend getting the usual annual mammograms and a screening MRI. You can also get a breast MRI if you have been diagnosed with cancer, as this helps us to determine the size of the cancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Follow Up With Your Oncologist<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you have received treatment for your first breast cancer, you should see your doctor regularly, as your follow-up appointments can:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Find breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check for changes in your family history.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Provide other health screenings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Provide medical updates.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Physical Exams<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once your initial breast cancer treatment ends, you will need to see your oncologist every three or four months during the first two or three years. Then, you can visit your doctor once or twice a year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After that, these visits will depend on the type of cancer you have had. For example, if you have had estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) cancer, we can use endocrine therapy to block its growth. This is because estrogen is responsible for the growth of cancer cells. As a result, the cancer can come back after five years. However, if you have estrogen receptor-negative (ER-negative) cancer, no estrogen is involved.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You don\u2019t have to see your doctor regularly once you complete your endocrine therapy after five years, but we still recommend getting a mammogram every year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Mammograms<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you had a partial mastectomy (the removal of breast tissue on one side), you will need to get a mammogram on the remaining breast about 6 to 12 months after your surgery or radiation treatment. After that, we recommend getting mammograms once a year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, if you had both breasts removed, you will no longer need mammograms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Pelvic Exams<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your doctor has prescribed tamoxifen or toremifene and you still have your uterus, we recommend getting a pelvic exam every year. These drugs can increase your risk of uterine cancer and the risk is higher if you have already gone through menopause.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Let your oncologist know if you have any of these symptoms, as they could be the first sign of uterine cancer:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bleeding or spotting between periods.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unusual vaginal bleeding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bleeding or spotting after menopause.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Bone Density Tests<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Doctors can prescribe anastrozole, letrozole, or exemestane if you have early stage breast cancer. These can cause osteoporosis or lower bone density in premenopausal women and those who have gone through menopause.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bones.nih.gov\/health-info\/bone\/osteoporosis\/conditions-behaviors\/osteoporosis-breast-cancer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Osteoporosis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is a condition in which the bones become more fragile and are more likely to fracture. A bone density test can detect the condition before a fracture occurs, and a doctor can check whether you will need medication to prevent or treat osteoporosis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Young women who haven\u2019t gone through menopause can get a bone density scan within three months of starting their breast cancer treatment, while postmenopausal women can do so within three to six months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1202 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Bone-Density-Tests.jpg\" alt=\"Female Doctor Examining Woman in 40s at Bone Densitometer Machine.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"526\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Bone-Density-Tests-200x105.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Bone-Density-Tests-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Bone-Density-Tests-400x210.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Bone-Density-Tests-600x316.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Bone-Density-Tests-768x404.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Bone-Density-Tests-800x421.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/05\/Bone-Density-Tests.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>When Patients Discontinue Their Follow-Up Visits<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A 2019 study published in the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Journal of Oncology Practice <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">found that 21% of women with early-stage breast cancer stopped seeing their doctor for their follow-up appointments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For some patients, regular physician visits can be a financial burden to cover traveling costs and taking the day off from work. They may also have anxiety keeping up with their appointments and treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ask your doctor for a survivorship care plan, as this can help you to keep up with your appointments. It would also include a list of any side-effects you can experience from your treatment, as well as any suggested lifestyle modifications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Book Your Appointment Today<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have you been treated for breast cancer or are currently receiving treatment, and you\u2019re unsure of what the next steps might be? Book an appointment with us today and we\u2019ll discuss your follow-up care plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>References<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kolak, A., <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">et al. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(2017). Primary and secondary prevention of breast cancer [Abstract]. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29284222\/#:~:text=Secondary%20prevention%2C%20comprising%20diagnostic%20tests,or%20lesions%20predisposing%20to%20tumours\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29284222\/#:~:text=Secondary%20prevention%2C%20comprising%20diagnostic%20tests,or%20lesions%20predisposing%20to%20tumours<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Quyyumi, F. F., <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">et al. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(2019). Factors Associated With Follow-Up Care Among Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ascopubs.org\/doi\/full\/10.1200\/JOP.18.00229\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/ascopubs.org\/doi\/full\/10.1200\/JOP.18.00229<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you have received treatment for breast cancer, the risk of developing the same cancer again is high. It can<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1200,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[161],"tags":[163,162,164],"class_list":["post-1199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breast-cancer","tag-primary-breast-cancer","tag-secondary-breast-cancer-symptoms","tag-secondary-prevention-of-breast-cancer"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1199"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1199\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1200"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}