BREAST CANCER RECURRENCE

Listen to our online Q&A event, moderated by Author and Journalist Annabel Crabb, on Breast Cancer Recurrence.

Everyone’s breast cancer experience is different, including the short and long term impacts following a breast cancer diagnosis. The fear of breast cancer coming back is one of the most common issues faced by people diagnosed with breast cancer.

A breast cancer recurrence is where breast cancer comes back following treatment after a period of time when cancer couldn’t be detected. It may happen months or even years after the original breast cancer was treated.

A fear of recurrence can range from no concern at all, where the thought doesn’t enter the woman’s mind, to quite severe debilitating anxiety. And for women who have the more severe fear cancer recurrence, it is often described as though they they’re unable to plan for the future, that their enjoyment is impacted, and they’re hypervigilant to signs of recurrence in their bodies, meaning it can significantly impact overall quality of life.

Fortunately, Australia and New Zealand have some of the best survival rates of breast cancer in the world. In Australia, the five-year survival rate is 91% and its 88% in New Zealand. But despite recurrences usually occurring within five years after the initial treatment, the fear that cancer may return at any time in life is a very normal and common worry for most people.

In this Q&A event, moderated by TV presenter Annabel Crabb, our panel of experts discussed this important topic. Discussion included the latest in research and clinical trials, personal experiences of breast cancer, living with the fear of recurrence and how to manage that fear, as well as what help is available.

Meet the Panel

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Ms Annabel Crabb

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Professor Sherene Loi

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Professor Prue Frances

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Associate Professor Lesley Stafford

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Ms Leslie Gilham

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