I am about 10 years post mastectomy for infiltrating ductal carcinoma with neg nodes, ER/PR+. I was 35 at the time, and was unable to tolerate Tamoxifen. No chemo was recommended by my oncologist; I believe at that time it wasn't standard of care for my early stage disease.
However, he did mention that late onset metastatic disease was certainly a possibility; but that chemo at diagnosis would not necessarily PREVENT late onset disease.
He described a "curve" of recurrence risk, with the greatest risk being up to 2-4 years post diagnosis--then the risk drops dramatically for up to 10 years. Then, he said there was again a small but definate rise in the chance of metastatic diease.
Do you believe this is true? This info was given to me 10 years ago, and perhaps thinking has changed. My doctor (family practitioner) was astonished to hear I was concerned and asking about follow up at this late date--didn't I know I was "cured"? "Why on earth are you worried"? No need for any follow up of any sort.
I don't obsess about it, it just makes me uneasy from time to time that I am blithly dismissed as cured with no higher risk of cancer than the next person. The oncologist mentioned to me that with the unusually high amount of colon cancer in my family, and with my personal history of breast cancer, that I may be at higher risk for ovarian cancer, too. But my GP says this is ridiculous. My GYN says she has never heard of an association, either.
(I DO get my colonoscopies, don't worry!) Just wondering if I should quit worrying for good.