And if untreated, breast cancer universally becomes a fatal disease. It can happen over long periods of time, but if you don't have surgery and if you don't have other treatments, it doesn't go away on its own. That's why we recommend (to) people that they get appropriate medical treatment.
Full Answer
What happens if I don't have any treatments for my breast cancer?
— -- Question: What will happen to me if I decide not to have any treatments for my breast cancer? Answer: Well, the hope for women with early stage breast cancer is that by using surgery and radiation therapy and, where appropriate, chemotherapy and hormonal treatments, that we can help prevent the cancer from coming back.
What happens if breast cancer comes back after surgery?
If breast cancer comes back. If the breast cancer comes back in the same breast it's called local recurrence. The cancer might be picked up at one of your follow up scans or appointments. Or you might notice a small pink or red lump called a nodule in the: breast tissue that is left after surgery.
How will my life change after breast cancer treatment?
In many ways, it will be a lot like the life you had before, but in other ways, it will be very different. Call it your "new normal." From your relationships with your family and your spouse to eating habits and exercise, breast cancer will change your life in ways that last well after treatment ends.
What are the side effects of cancer treatment?
Fear of side effects: There is no denying that the side effects of cancer therapy can be profound. Sometimes the fear of hair loss, sickness, and pain can become so paralyzing that a woman is unable to see the benefits of treatment.
Are breast cancer patients at increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that the risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 is low for most people. However, it's very important to know that people who are currently diagnosed with cancer, including breast cancer, have a higher risk of severe illness if they get COVID-19.
Is it safe for people with cancer to get any type of vaccine?
People with cancer (or with a history of cancer) can get some vaccines, but this depends on many factors, such as the type of vaccine, the type of cancer a person has (had), if they are still being treated for cancer, and if their immune system is working properly.
Are cancer patients more likely to contract the coronavirus disease?
Cancer patients and survivors may have a higher risk of getting COVID-19 and other infections. They, and people who live with and take care of them, should take steps to protect their health.
Does chemotherapy affect the COVID-19 vaccine?
Some cancer treatments like chemotherapy (chemo), radiation, stem cell or bone marrow transplant, or immunotherapy can affect the immune system, which might make the vaccine less effective.
Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if have blood cancer?
Yes! COVID-19 vaccines are safe and offer protection to the majority of blood cancer patients and survivors. However, since not everyone will get full protection, LLS recommends that blood cancer patients and survivors get vaccinated plus layer on additional protections like wearing masks and social distancing.
What are some exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine?
Some people may be at risk for an adverse reaction because of an allergy to one of the vaccine components or a medical condition. This is referred to as a medical exemption. Some people may decline vaccination because of a sincerely held religious belief. This is referred to as a religious exemption.
Which groups of people are at increased risks of severe illness from COVID-19?
Among adults, the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk. Severe illness means that the person with COVID-19 may require hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help them breathe, or they may even die. People of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are also at increased risk for severe illness from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Who is most at risk for the coronavirus disease?
Older adults are at highest risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. More than 81% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people over age 65. The number of deaths among people over age 65 is 97 times higher than the number of deaths among people ages 18-29 years.
Who are at higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19?
Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
What medications should be avoided before the COVID-19 vaccine?
It is not recommended you take over-the-counter medicine – such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen – before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent vaccine-related side effects.
Is there a COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised patients?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with a number of professional societies, endorse SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for the immunocompromised population. Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines also recommend a third dose of an mRNA vaccine for severely immunocompromised patients.
Which organ system is most often affected by COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that can trigger what doctors call a respiratory tract infection. It can affect your upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, and throat) or lower respiratory tract (windpipe and lungs).
Why do people refuse breast cancer treatment?
Among some of the more common reasons for the refusal of breast cancer treatment: A period of adjustment: No one really knows how they will respond to a cancer diagnosis until they get one. Some people will panic, others will become resolute, and others still will need time to come to terms with the diagnosis before moving forward.
What religions discourage cancer treatment?
Matters of faith: Some religions, like Christian Science, discourage certain medical interventions necessary for cancer treatment. Even if this is not the case, a woman may feel comforted by entrusting her fate to nature or a higher power.
Why do doctors dismiss complementary therapies?
They might even dismiss complementary or integrative therapies because they either don't believe in them or assert (reasonably) that certain approaches are not evidence-based .
Can a doctor refuse medical treatment?
There are few exceptions to your right to refuse medical treatment, however. In an emergency situation, doctors do have the right to intervene only to control the emergency. Unless there is a legal directive to prevent such treatment, such as a Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order, the doctor has an obligation to step in, albeit in a specific capacity.
Is it an emergency if you have cancer?
Even if you are told your cancer is aggressive, it is not an "emergency," per se. Listen carefully to your prognosis and set aside time to think things through quietly, evaluating what you want and why. Seek a second opinion. A second opinion is not a rebuke of your oncologist.
Is cancer a priority?
Personal priorities: You might assume that cancer would be the number one priority in a person's life, but not everyone agrees. In some cases, a woman may opt to delay treatment for something she considers personally important, such as an upcoming wedding, family trip, or business obligation.
Is it normal to not seek treatment for breast cancer?
Most people would consider it "normal" to want to seek treatment for breast cancer the moment you are diagnosed, particularly at a time where survival rates are ever-increasing. But this would also infer that not seeking treatment is "abnormal," and that's rarely the case.
How long can you delay breast cancer?
Delaying for a lengthy period of time can be dangerous, with studies finding that those who delay over six months are twice as likely to die from the disease. This is important to keep in mind for those who have breast lumps they are "observing" without a clear diagnosis. Any breast lump needs to be explained.
How soon after a diagnosis can you have surgery?
For women who are young (defined as 15 to 39), a 2013 study in JAMA Surgery suggested that young women should have surgery no more than six weeks after diagnosis and preferably earlier. This study of close to 9,000 women found 5-year survival rates as follows: 4
Can a mastectomie be done for breast cancer?
Newer procedures such as nipple-sparing/skin-sparing mastectomies are a great option for some women, but not all surgeons do these procedures. For young women with breast cancer, time to see a fertility specialist to talk about fertility preservation.
Is it good to get a second opinion?
Getting a second opinion is almost always a good idea. Not only do doctors have different levels of experience and interest, but having a second opinion can be reassuring if you ever look back and question your choices. Make sure any medical conditions you have are under good control.
Does triple negative HER2 increase stage?
As noted, tumors that were triple negative or HER2 positive grew much faster. This was also linked to an increase in stage based on size between diagnosis and surgery, with 18 percent of triple-negative tumors increasing (higher tumor size) versus only 2 to 3 percent of estrogen receptor positive tumors changing.
How long does breast cancer last?
(An old study of untreated breast cancer suggest the 5 year survival rates are 18% at 5 years and 3.6% at 10 years.)
How many women refused breast cancer surgery?
It compared patients who refused breast cancer with those that those that accepted surgery. Only 1.3% of women (70) refused surgery. Of that group, 37 had no treatment, 25 had hormone-therapy only, and 8 had other types of treatments.
Can you opt out of follow up on cancer?
Most patients who decide to opt-out of cancer treatment, also opt-out of any follow-up evaluation. So tracking down patients, and their outcomes, is essential. The effects of treatment refusals and delay, and the effectiveness of CAM as a substitute, has been evaluated in several groups of patients with breast cancer.
Is treatment without risk?
No treatment is without some sort of risk. And a decision to decline treatment has its own risks. One of the challenges that I confront regularly as a pharmacist is helping patients understand a medication’s expected long-term benefits against the risks and side effects of treatment.
Is breast cancer curable?
Breast cancer is well studied, frequently diagnosed, and if detected early, potentially curable. Conventional treatment for early (localized) breast cancer is surgical resection of the tumor, followed by radiation and chemotherapy to reduce the risk of disease recurrence, by killing any residual cancer cells that remain.
What is the best treatment for breast cancer?
After you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, your oncologist may recommend many different treatments. Chemotherapy is among the treatment options available. For some, chemotherapy treatments may not kill the cancer cells, or the cells may return after a remission.
What to do after chemo?
Life after chemotherapy stops. Discuss any physical symptoms that you’re having as well as any emotions that are troubling you. Your oncologist might suggest you speak with a social worker or attend a support group with other people who are facing similar decisions. Remember, you are not alone in this.
What are the challenges women face after breast cancer treatment?
Two of the biggest hurdles women with breast cancer face post-treatment are fatigue resulting from chemotherapy and/or the accumulated effects of other treatments, and a phenomenon some women have dubbed "chemobrain" -- mental changes such as memory deficits and the inability to focus.
What does it mean to return to your normal after breast cancer?
Here's how to return to your "new normal.". Life after breast cancer means returning to some familiar things and also making some new choices. The song says "It ain't over 'til it's over," but when you've had breast cancer, you discover that it's not even over when it's over.
How does breast cancer affect your life?
From your relationships with your family and your spouse to eating habits and exercise, breast cancer will change your life in ways that last well after treatment ends.
How long does breast cancer treatment last?
After a marathon of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment that may last six months to a year, you can hardly wait to get back to a normal life again.
Is breast cancer a marathon?
It can feel like an endless process.". Breast cancer survivorship, Weiss observes, is a marathon, not a sprint. That means learning to handle the symptoms that stick around after treatment ends, says Sloan-Kettering's McCabe, by using those adaptive strategies you learned while on chemotherapy or recovering from surgery.
Can breast cancer survivors survive?
Women with breast cancer, like other people with a cancer diagnosis, are now surviving for so much longer, and in such large numbers, that some hospitals are opening entire departments devoted to survivorship The National Cancer Institute has also launched a special research area dedicated to studying what it means to survive cancer. Â.
How do you know if you have a recurrence of breast cancer?
Symptoms can include, changes in the breast, and swelling in the lymph nodes above and below the collarbone, the neck, and around the breast bone. The tests you might have are usually the same as for checking for a local recurrence. Do speak to your nurse or doctor if you notice any of these changes.
How to tell if breast surgery is recurrence?
Symptoms of local recurrence can include: a small pink or red lump called a nodule on the breast or scar. change in shape or size of the breast. a swelling in your arm or hand on the side of your breast surgery. changes in the shape or position of the nipple. redness or a rash on the skin on or around the breast area.
What does it mean when breast cancer is locally advanced?
A locally advanced recurrence means that the breast cancer has spread beyond the breast and the lymph nodes under the arm (the axillary lymph nodes). This includes areas near to or around the breast but has not spread to other parts of the body.
What does it mean when your breast is red?
changes in the shape or position of the nipple. redness or a rash on the skin on or around the breast area. a lump or thickening in the breast. Let your doctor know as soon as you can if you notice any changes. You usually have tests to check if the cancer has come back.
What tests can you do to see if you have breast cancer?
You will have tests to check if the cancer has returned. These might include a mammogram, an ultrasound scan, and a biopsy . Your doctor may suggest you have other tests such as a CT scan to check if cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Find out more about tests for breast cancer.
What is it called when breast cancer comes back?
If the breast cancer comes back in the same breast it's called local recurrence. The cancer might be picked up at one of your follow up scans or appointments. Or you might notice your breast or scar looks or feels different.
Where does cancer come back?
A locally advanced cancer might come back in one or more of the following: the chest wall. lymph nodes under the breastbone or between the ribs. the nodes above the collarbone (supra clavicular nodes) lymph nodes around the neck.
How long after chemo can you get GFS?
This is what I learned: The GFS shots have to be given 24 to 72 hours after chemo and not within 24 hours before starting chemo in order to be effective. Because I was on the weekly Taxol regimen, there was no way to get the GFS shots, timing-wise.
What is neutropenia in cancer?
I clicked on the first link from the American Cancer Society website which said neutropenia is defined as a lower than normal number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cells). White blood cells are part of the immune system that defends your body against infection. When deciding whether or not to give you chemo, ...
Can you take chemotherapy with dose-dense?
With a dose-dense regimen, you also receive a higher dose of your chemotherapy medication, just not as often. (There is a greater chance of developing fatigue and neuropathy of your hands and feet should you decide to do the dose-dense regimen.)
Reasons to Refuse Treatment
Role of The Physician
- The traditional patriarchal role of the physician has changed vastly in the past 50 or so years. Where doctors were once prescriptive, they are now considered equal partners in your care. When it comes to decisions, however, those are entirely yours. Within this context, the role of your doctor is to provide you full disclosure of your condition and treatment options in a language yo…
Exceptions
- There are few exceptions to your right to refuse medical treatment, however. In an emergency situation, doctors do have the right to intervene only to control the emergency. Unless there is a legal directive to prevent such treatment, such as a Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order, the doctor has an obligation to step in, albeit in a specific capacity. The only other clear exception is parent…
Making An Informed Choice
- Most people have encountered one aspect of informed consent, namely the signing of a medical consent form prior to a medical procedure or hospitalization. But informed consent is about more than just signing a document. It involves discussing the potentials risks and benefits of a recommended treatment, as well as the risks and benefits of receiving no treatment. If, after a re…
If A Loved One Declines Treatment
- If someone you care about has chosen not to continue their cancer treatment, be as supportive as you can. She may have already been met with resistance from her doctors and those closest to her. If her mind is made up, it won't help to add your voice to the debate. If she is still struggling with her decision, offer to listen and help her sort thro...
Who Uses Cam Instead of Medicine?
Effectiveness Evaluations
- The data show that avoiding or delaying conventional cancer care is associated with negative outcomes, and CAM used does not seem to modify this risk. But have any specific CAM interventions shown any benefit? Probably the most comprehensive single review is asystematic review by Gerber et al, published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment in 2006, which looke…
Conclusion: Alternative Medicine Isn’T Real Medicine
- Despite widespread claims, there is no evidence to support the use of any CAM treatment as a replacement for conventional cancer care. As the studies in breast cancer show, delaying treatment or substituting CAM for conventional cancer care dramatically worsens outcomes.The results of these studies will hopefully provide patients and health provide...
References
- 1. Verkooijen HM, Fioretta GM, Rapiti E, Bonnefoi H, Vlastos G, Kurtz J, Schaefer P, Sappino AP, Schubert H, & Bouchardy C (2005). Patients’ refusal of surgery strongly impairs breast cancer survival. Annals of surgery, 242 (2), 276-80 PMID: 16041219 2. Chang EY, Glissmeyer M, Tonnes S, Hudson T, & Johnson N (2006). Outcomes of breast cancer in patients who use alternative thera…