Post Treatment Care

Follow Up / Regular Checkups - You’ll need regular checkups (such as every 3 to 6 months) after treatment for breast cancer. Checkups help to ensure that any changes in your health are noted and treated, if needed. If you have any health problems between checkups, you should contact your doctor.

Checkups help to detect…

• Breast cancer that comes back after treatment: Breast cancer may return in the breast or chest wall. Or, it may return in any other part of the body, such as the bones, liver, lungs, or brain.
• Health problems that can result from cancer treatment
• A new breast cancer

Checkups usually include an exam of the neck, underarm, chest, and breast areas. Since a new breast cancer may develop, you should have regular mammograms. You probably won’t need a mammogram of a reconstructed breast or if you had a mastectomy without reconstruction. Your doctor may order other imaging procedures or lab tests.

Nutrition -Eating well is important before, during, and after cancer treatment. You need the right amount of calories to maintain a good weight. You also need enough protein to keep up your strength. Eating well may help you feel better and have more energy.

Sometimes, especially during or soon after treatment, you may not feel like eating. You may be uncomfortable or tired. You may find that foods don’t taste as good as they used to. In addition, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, mouth blisters, and other side effects of treatment can make it hard for you to eat. On the other hand, some women treated for breast cancer may have a problem with weight gain.

Healthy food choices and physical activity may help reduce the risk of cancer or recurrence. Talk with your doctor or a nutritionist to find out about any special dietary needs that you may have. Eat a plant-based diet and have at least 5–9 servings of fruitand vegetables daily.

• Try to include beans in your diet, and eat whole grains (such as cereals, breads, and pasta) several times daily.
• Choose foods low in fat and low in salt.
• Get to and stay at a healthy weight.

Quit smoking - Research shows that smoking can increase the chances of getting cancer at the same site or another site.

Cut down on how much alcohol you drink – Research shows that drinking alcohol increases your chances of getting certain types of cancers.

Exercise and stay active - Several recent reports suggest that stayingactive after cancer can help lower the risk of recurrence and can lead to longer survival. Moderate exercise (walking, biking and swimming) forabout 30 minutes every—or almost every—day can:

• Reduce anxiety and depression
• Improve mood and boost self-esteem
• Reduce fatigue, nausea, pain, and diarrhea

It is important to start an exercise program slowly and increaseactivity over time, working with your doctor or a specialist (such as aphysical therapist) if needed. If you need to stay in bed during yourrecovery, even small activities like stretching or moving your arms orlegs can help you stay flexible, relieve muscle tension, and help youfeel better.