1702133 © Steven Pepple | Dreamstime.com
I am a breast cancer survivor, a medical professional, and a fierce advocate for ongoing post-treatment diagnostics for the prevention and timely detection of recurrence.
During the active phases of my treatment for breast cancer (ILC right) and DCIS left) and now in my recovery, my nursing experience led me to compare and contrast, through research, the contradicting information given by my medical providers regarding my diagnosis and treatment options, clinically proven alternatives, and managing my health to subsequently prevent recurrence.
Unfortunately, my oncology team provided no information on the latter subject and very little else otherwise that would lead me to restoring my energy, health, cognitive function and more.
My goal forward is to make exceptionally educated, not fear-based, decisions and choices for my life and health. I want to live to at least 100 years old and do so with strength, style, grace and confidence.
And cancer-free.
A breast cancer survivor needs adequate, regimented post-treatment diagnostics throughout their life to monitor for recurrence.
This does save lives, and otherwise, substantial length of days.
In my research, I discovered a very intriguing and concerning characteristic of cancer cells observed both during and after chemotherapy and radiation which is not routinely discussed with breast cancer patients: that is that fragmented lingering DNA particles from (treated) and dying cancer cells move into the bloodstream and lymphatic system and lie dormant in the body, with great potential to become activated anytime later from diverse sources of persistent and excess inflammation such as stress, dehydration, cell starvation (not enough nutrients), lack of oxygen to organs and organ systems, and other internal states that hinder or halt the body in regenerating and restoring itself. I do not address external factors in this article.
This information alone begs the need for drastic changes in the current standard of care for recurrence prevention for breast cancer survivors.
The National Cancer Care Network, (NCCN) which steers current oncology guidelines, recommends against routine and continuous monitoring for breast cancer recurrence. Under the influence of this entity’s stance on women’s health, many lives globally have been and continue to be lost.
This is a major failure of the oncological community treating breast cancer.
Conversely, NCCN propagates the idea that “the stress of undergoing ‘unnecessary scans’ and (other diagnostics)” for post-treatment breast cancer patients outweighs the benefit of recurrence-detection focused testing and promotes the idea that “surveillance does not increase survival time.” I disagree. Read here.
If this were actually the case, why are we inundated with the idea that a recurrence is inevitable and expected, but not then followed up on to judiciously detect? (this mindset guides the primary diagnosis and our care plans). Again, if so, why are we led to believe that such aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and aromatase inhibitors are actually as widely clinically successful as touted, if we are left with possible residual disease that will not be monitored until it has progressed significantly, despite treatments?
2023 NCCN Guidelines for Breast Cancer (pg. 23)
On screening for metastases:
“In the absence of clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of recurrent disease, there is no indication for laboratory or imaging studies for metastases screening.”
See this podcast giving NCCN guideline recommendation reasoning for not monitoring most survivors for recurrence. Please note that the statement “there is no clinical evidence for” means that little to no purposeful actions have been taken by NCCN, ASCO or other major oncological entities to aggressively pilot widespread clinical trials in which large, diverse groups of survivors are monitored for recurrence through systematic, long-term monitoring using diagnostic imaging and labs.
This is the problem. The medical community focuses primarily on using clinical data to create treatment plans, but if there is not enough stable and trustworthy clinical data (obtained through extensive research/trials and unbiased, non profit-minded clinicians who are not associated with Big Pharma), then a solid “recommendation” to not routinely follow clinically after treatment periods cannot be made.
This action was first necessary beginning in the early 1970’s (investigate further to see the 1950’s time period where cases began to markedly increase) when breast cancer cases began to substantially rise, according to researched data. Large scale global trials must be commissioned today, to make real strides in saving women’s lives.
The result would unequivocally catapult change, but inevitably also come with the pervasive argument of cost and loss of revenue from halting and preventing the mass cases of metastases we are seeing in most of the world. More on the issue of cost here.
Here are two statements (my third article on recurrence prevention will relay more) from a 2015 PubMed article addressing the concerns for the need for post-treatment diagnostics to catch early metastasis: (the first paragraph states the current standard).
“Current post-treatment surveillance guidelines for patients with treated breast cancer do not recommend intensive surveillance, such as routine chest radiography, bone scans, or laboratory tests, to evaluate distant recurrence or metastatic diseases.”
“Because isolated recurrences are associated with distant metastasis and/or poor outcome, early detection and targeted treatment for recurrences are critical to improve patient outcome.”
This article written in 2004 published in The Journal Of the National Cancer Institute, (focusing for that piece on mammograms) notes even then that the “absence of screening was associated with a markedly increased risk of late-stage disease among women with invasive breast cancer” and that “problems in detection account for 40% of the late-stage cases.”
This information sounds very scary and elicits a feeling of powerlessness in our ability to take control of our health and the quality and length of our lives, however, we can take charge of our lives and health through consciously employing even just a few tools available to us.
Breast cancer post-treatment plans and teaching are almost non-existent. Survivors are left to investigate the realities of and alternatives for their diagnoses independent of clinical guidance. We need concrete information that will help us advocate for ourselves and know our options in preventing recurrence.
Powerful supplements are available, healing mindsets (new conscious way of living and thinking which actually produce hormone functions and neurotransmitter synapses that heal disease states in the body), and many other potent, successful ways of living and being that achieve renewed health and wellness. More importantly, that work to prevent (breast) cancer recurrence.
A first priority, and the most profound route to wellness and healing (which also create an marked absence of disease) is obtaining adequate sleep and rest. Read my associated article here on this topic.
Below is an easy to read list of simple tools to employ highlighting most of the options available in post-treatment scans and labs to ensure the following:
A “wait and see” attitude is fatal to many women. Allowing late symptoms to occur before scheduling diagnostics to confirm extensive or uncontrollable regrowth is never prudent or conducive to preservation of life. In reality, not judiciously monitoring the body and care with scans and labs in the recovery years can inevitably result in any regrowth of cancer taking control.
Breast cancer survivors must stay vehemently pro-active in reporting every new symptom or pain that cannot be explained by short term illness (viruses, colds, the flu etc.) or injury. Even in the presence of these incidents, any persistent pain or symptom needs to be addressed and investigated with thorough and effective diagnostics.
Be tenacious about your survival.
2. Each of the following supplements has extensive research supporting their individual powerful anti-tumor functions.
3. Mindsets (redirected thought patterns) that establish healing
You are created to live a long, healthy, life.
4. Deep breathing exercises: adequate oxygen causes cancer cell death. This topic needs more research on the writer’s part and in clinical studies, but it’s also common sense to note that increased regular oxygenation in the body increases health and healing.
5. Fasting either weekly or just from dinner to breakfast shows a significant improvement in insulin levels, which increases the body’s resistance to disease. It is linked strongly to preventing cancer, both primary and secondary (recurrence).
Grounding: This is a simple, profound way of promoting healing and preventing (breast) cancer recurrence. Note, that to receive best advantage of this technique, 30–60 minutes daily is recommended. It is also a wonderful way to renew peace to the mind and the body.
To summarize, the majority of breast cancer survivors are not adequately educated by their oncology team of the real risks for recurrence and are not informed of what tests can and should be ordered routinely to monitor for recurrence, which ultimately would save many lives. The oncology field’s gross neglect and resistance toward monitoring breast cancer recurrence has been and continues to be fundamental in creating an environment of that recurrence through neglecting to prioritize our lives with necessary preventative diagnostics.
In closing, I suggest that breast cancer patients be prepared to face strong resistance from their oncology team in introducing any demand for post-treatment diagnostics and especially alternative (non-Western medicine) treatment choices. The cancer care system is not set up to efficiently observe, monitor and track disease recurrence. We must be be our own advocates in obtaining and implementing safer, Big Pharma-free alternatives to our health and especially in standing firm in our right to have thorough, routine scans and labs that will preserve our health and lives.
We need more answers and follow through if we are to effectively fight against recurrence-related deaths.
If this information is helpful to you, please see my first article on preventing breast cancer recurrence.
“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves…”— William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar.…
Going for walks, dancing, and doing housework —although not technically exercises —any kind of movement counts toward your…
Data isn’t just an asset—it’s a trust marker. In life sciences, our credibility hinges on…
At 7:28 a.m., the sidewalk was still damp from last night’s Seattle area rain. I…
President Trump said recently that the United States will announce a “major” tariff on pharmaceutical…
Are you sure the toothpaste you’re using is safe and won’t expose you or your…
This website uses cookies. Your continued use of the site is subject to the acceptance of these cookies. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for more information.
Read More