Your follow-up

Breast cancer care does not stop with treatment

Your entourage is essential in your journey. Do not hesitate to come with your partner during consultations or treatments. After a consultation, it is common not to remember everything the doctor has said. Your loved ones may also need to understand your illness in order to help you.

Some patients may feel the need for psychological support during the course of the disease, but also after treatment has ended. Psychologists and psychiatrists, specialized in breast cancer support, are an integral part of our medical team. This support can also be offered to your loved ones.

Patient associations have acquired an important place: they bring together women who have shared similar experiences. Do not hesitate to contact them.

Monitoring after breast cancer

Follow-up is based on a consultation every 4 to 6 months for 5 years and then every year, with annual mammography and ultrasound. Depending on the type and stage of your cancer, the frequency and types of complementary examinations (CT scan, MRI, PET scan, bone scan, blood tests, etc.) may vary.
The follow-up consultation allows us to follow you closely and to be reactive.

Your genetic risk

Certain genetic predispositions, such as BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutations, put women at “very high” risk for breast cancer (60-80% chance of developing breast cancer before the age 80).

These mutations are looked for if you have had breast cancer at a very young age or if there are several cases of breast or ovarian cancer in your family.

Only a very small proportion of breast cancers are linked to a genetic cause (5-10%). Your doctor can evaluate the interest of an oncogenetic consultation, according to your personal and family history, in particular by using the Eisinger score.

CALCULATION OF THE Eisinger score AND ACTION TO BE TAKEN
BRCA1/2 mutation identified in the family………………………..……..5	Results
Breast cancer in a woman before 30 years old…………………….…..4	3 or more :
Breast cancer in a woman between 30 and 39 years old…………..…..3	Oncogenetic consultation
Breast cancer in a woman between 40 and 49 years old………………2	Less than 3 :
Breast cancer in a man……………………………………………………..4	Screening planned
Ovarian cancer before age 70……………………………………………………….4

Source : Breast Cancer – Which screening modalities, for which women? (InCA, September 2015, available by clicking here)

The oncogeneticist measures the risk of predisposition and the usefulness of a genetic test to determine the presence of a mutation.

Not all genetic mutations are known at this time. Your doctor will work with you to determine the appropriate monitoring for your case.