If you've been battling breast cancer and gone through a difficult period of treatment, your biggest fear may be, "Will it come back?" It's a very emotional feeling. None of us want to go through that again. Most of the time, cancer doesn't come back. But you can't completely rule out the possibility. Research shows that making some lifestyle changes and taking prescribed medications can help reduce your risk of cancer coming back. So let's take a look at what they are.
Don't give up on exercising.
A recent study shows that if you exercise for at least 2.5 hours (150 minutes) a week , it can significantly improve your overall health. It can also reduce the risk of cancer coming back. Another thing is that if you are overweight , your risk of cancer coming back increases. So, exercising can help you maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise doesn't have to be a big deal.
- Engage in moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking , for about two and a half hours a week. Or, for more vigorous exercise, such as running, about 75 minutes a week is enough.
- It would be great if you could set aside two days a week for weight training.
If you're not very active right now, this may seem like a daunting task. That's okay. Start small . Start with just a few minutes a day and gradually increase the time.
Let's eat a well-balanced diet, shall we?
When you eat a balanced diet full of nutritious, whole foods, your entire body will be healthy. These foods will provide the energy your body needs as it rebuilds after cancer treatment . Here are some things to think about.
| Food type/habit | Why is it important? |
|---|---|
| Vegetables and fruits | Try to eat at least five meals a day. These are full of antioxidants and vitamins. |
| Red Meats | Limit red meats like beef, goat, and pork. |
| Fish | Try to eat fish two or three times a week. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish are very beneficial. |
| Foods high in fat and calories | Reduce or stop these. These can increase the hormone estrogen in the blood. This hormone increases the risk of cancer coming back. |
| Foods with Fiber | Include fiber-rich foods like grains, vegetables, and fruits daily. |
| Sugary drinks | It would be best if these could be stopped completely. |
You should also think about alcohol use.
Studies have clearly shown that there is a link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer . Alcohol increases the level of estrogen in the blood. This increases the chance of the cancer coming back. If you are a person recovering from cancer, the best thing to do is to stop drinking alcohol completely.
But if you must drink some alcohol, limit it to one drink per day to reduce your risk. It's important to talk to your doctor about this.
If you smoke, you must stop.
Tobacco use is a cause of many types of cancer. If you haven't already quit smoking, it's the number one thing you should do to prevent breast cancer from coming back, as well as for your overall health.
You can try these things to help with this:
- If this is difficult to do alone, join a support group.
- Manage your stress . Stress is often the trigger for smoking.
- Ask your doctor about medications that can help control your urge to smoke.
- Use substitutes like nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges.
Don't miss your medical checkups.
After cancer treatment is complete, it is important to continue seeing your doctor for follow-up screenings . For the first few months after treatment, your medical team will want to see you for signs of the cancer coming back. This will happen about five years later, perhaps once a year.
The most important thing is not to miss follow-up appointments during this time, as the cancer is most likely to recur within the first two years after treatment.
If you have had part of your breast removed, you will be asked to have a mammogram 6-12 months after treatment. Then you will need to have one every year. If both breasts have been removed, you may not need a mammogram. This will all depend on the type and stage of your cancer, so follow your doctor's instructions .
Do you have any medication you need to continue taking?
If you have a high risk of cancer coming back, your doctor will prescribe certain medications to reduce that risk even after treatment.
| Drug type | Important points and side effects |
|---|---|
| Tamoxifen | This is a drug given to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. It blocks the action of estrogen in breast cells. It can reduce the risk of cancer coming back by about 40%.
|
| Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) | Drugs like Anastrozole and Exemestane belong to this group. These are also another option for those at high risk.
|
Your mental well-being is also very important.
Breast cancer is a physically and emotionally draining experience. Adjusting to a new normal after treatment and coming to terms with what has happened can be a challenge. Therefore, it is important to take care of your physical health as well as your mental well-being .
- Give yourself time to take care of yourself (self-care). Put your needs first.
- If the fear of cancer returning is so great that it interferes with your daily life, talk to a professional counselor.
- Join groups with others who have had similar experiences to you. It will make you feel like you're not alone.
- Practice things like yoga and meditation to reduce stress.
- Take up a hobby you used to enjoy again, or try something new.
- Write your feelings in a diary.
Remember, if breast cancer does come back, it's not your fault. And, in most cases, it can be treated successfully.
Take-Home Message
- The risk of breast cancer recurrence is high after treatment, especially in the first two years.
- At least 2.5 hours of exercise per week helps maintain a healthy weight and reduce risk.
- Follow a balanced diet, rich in vegetables and fruits, and low in fat and red meat.
- Completely stopping alcohol and smoking significantly reduces the risk of cancer recurrence.
- Never miss follow-ups and medications (such as Tamoxifen) prescribed by your doctor.
- It is extremely important to take care of your mental well-being as well as your physical well-being. Seek counseling if necessary.
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