breast cancer free

it is said that a breast cancer survivor can be declared as desease free after 5 years .after 5 years means after completion of treatment or deduction of cancer ?
after treatment of lumpectomy follow up should be taken after every 6 months or 3 months?please suggest follow up treatment cycle for 5 years .

regards
shanthi

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear arkshanthi1966,  Follow-up will in a sense continue the rest of your life as you will continue to need annual check-ups and mammograms.  The follow up schedule after treatment for breast cancer is based on several factors including stage of disease, treatments given etc. At first after treatment follow-up may be more often (every 3 months to check for recovery from treatment then the time frame extended as time goes by).