Fear of Breast Cancer Recurrence
After treatment for early or locally advanced breast cancer ends, many people are afraid they still have cancer, or the cancer will come back (breast cancer recurrence).
These fears are normal.
There are healthy ways to cope with the stress caused by these fears.
Some complementary therapies may help ease fears of breast cancer recurrence, including [118-121]:
- Counseling (psychotherapy)
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (a type of mental health counseling that may include techniques such as relaxation exercises)
- Mindfulness meditation
Cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling may be done in-person or remotely.
Learn more about complementary therapies.
Kelley Nay – Patient, Research Advocate, Komen Advocates in Science Member
“For many of us, the fear of recurrence often lives quietly in the back of our minds after treatment ends. Some days it may barely be noticeable, and other days it can be overwhelming, triggered by aches and pains, scans, medical appointments, cancer anniversaries or sometimes without a clear reason. This can feel isolating and may be hard to talk about. If this feels familiar, there’s nothing wrong with you – it’s a very normal response to what you’ve been through. Over time, it’s possible to find ways to live alongside this fear, continue to move forward and stay engaged in your life. Reaching out for support when the fear shows up and practicing self-compassion can help life continue to grow around it.”
You’re not alone
Many people have been where you are today. They’ve gone through breast cancer treatment and are adjusting to life after it.
It may be helpful to talk with other breast cancer survivors about how you’re feeling. Having a connection with others who can relate to some of what you’re going through may help you feel less alone.
You can do this in a support group (in person or online) or by connecting one-on-one with another breast cancer survivor. A social worker or patient navigator can help you find these resources.
You can also talk with your health care providers about how you’re feeling. They care about your overall well-being and want to help. They may connect you to a mental health provider on your health care team, such as a social worker, for emotional support.
If your fear of recurrence doesn’t get better (or even gets worse) over time, talk with your health care provider. Your provider can help you find ways to reduce your emotional distress.
Learn more about support groups and other types of social support.
Watch our video of Komen grantee Dr. Tarah Ballinger who talks about the fear of breast cancer recurrence and ways to cope with it.
Susan G. Komen® Support Resources |
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How is a local breast cancer recurrence or metastasis found?
A local recurrence is the return of cancer to the breast, chest wall or nearby lymph nodes after treatment. A local recurrence is usually found on a mammogram, during a physical exam by a health care provider, or when you notice a change in or around the breast or underarm.
Breast cancer that returns and spreads to other parts of the body is called a distant recurrence (metastasis). This is metastatic breast cancer and may also be called stage IV or advanced breast cancer.
Metastasis is usually found when new and persistent symptoms are reported to a health care provider and follow-up tests are done.
For people with no signs or symptoms of metastases, using blood or imaging tests (other than mammography) does not increase survival [3]. These tests are not a standard part of follow-up care.
If you have a local recurrence or metastasis, it’s not your fault. You did nothing to cause it.
Learn about follow-up care after breast cancer treatment.
Learn more about breast cancer recurrence.
Risk of breast cancer recurrence
Talk with your oncologist if you have questions about your risk of breast cancer recurrence.
Local recurrence
Most local breast cancer recurrences occur within the first 5 years after diagnosis [122-123].
The risk of a local recurrence varies from person to person and depends on the original breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Getting regular medical care after treatment is the best thing you can do to make sure a local recurrence is found early, when the chances of survival are highest.
If a local recurrence is found, it’s treated in much the same way as the first breast cancer.
Learn more about the risk of a local recurrence.
Learn more about treatment for a local recurrence.
Metastasis
When breast cancer metastasizes (spreads to another part of the body), it most often spreads to the bones, lungs, liver or brain.
The risk of metastasis varies from person to person and depends on the original breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Learn more about the risk of metastasis.
Learn about treatment for metastatic breast cancer.
Risk of a new breast cancer
Women who’ve had breast cancer in the past have a higher risk of getting a new breast cancer than women who’ve never had breast cancer [124-125].
A new breast cancer is called a second primary breast cancer. Unlike a recurrence (a return of the first breast cancer), a second primary tumor is a new breast cancer unrelated to the first.
- Women treated with a lumpectomy (also called a breast-conserving surgery) for their first breast cancer can get a second primary cancer in either breast.
- Except in rare cases, women treated with a mastectomy for their first breast cancer can only get a new cancer in the contralateral (opposite) breast.
Learn more about risk of a second primary breast cancer.
People at higher risk of a second primary breast cancer (or other second cancer)
Some people may have a higher risk of a second primary breast cancer (or other second cancer) [126]. This includes [126]:
- Some people with a family history of breast cancer (or some other cancers)
- People who have a BRCA1, BRCA2 or other inherited gene mutation related to breast cancer
Learn more about family history and risk of breast cancer.
Learn more about BRCA1 and BRCA2 inherited gene mutations and the risk of a second primary breast cancer.
Learn more about BRCA1/2 gene mutations and risk of breast and other cancers.
Learn about other inherited gene mutations related to breast cancer.
Learn more about risk-lowering options for women with BRCA1/2 and some other inherited gene mutations.
| For a summary of research studies on BRCA1 and BRCA2 inherited gene mutations and breast cancer, visit the Breast Cancer Research Studies section. |
Risk-reducing surgery does not improve survival for most women diagnosed with breast cancer
A risk-reducing contralateral mastectomy (contralateral prophylactic mastectomy) is surgery to remove the contralateral (opposite) breast in a person with breast cancer in only one breast.
Removing the contralateral breast doesn’t lower the risk of dying from the original breast cancer [127].
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends a risk-reducing contralateral mastectomy only be considered for women who have a very high risk of breast cancer due an inherited gene mutation in one of these genes [126]:
- BRCA1
- BRCA2
- CDH1
- PALB2
- PTEN
- STK11
- TP53
If you have an inherited gene mutation in one of these genes, talk with your health care provider about whether a risk-reducing contralateral mastectomy is right for you.
Learn more about risk-reducing mastectomy.
Learn more about inherited gene mutations.
Healthy lifestyle and breast cancer recurrence
Some healthy behaviors may be linked to a lower risk of breast cancer recurrence and improved survival. Others are part of a lifestyle linked to a lower risk other cancers and other health conditions.
A healthy lifestyle includes:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a healthy diet
- Limiting alcohol intake
- Getting regular physical activity (exercise)
- Not smoking
Learn more about a healthy lifestyle for people who’ve had breast cancer.
For those taking hormone therapy
If you’re taking tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor, the length of treatment along with side effects, such as menopausal symptoms, can make it tough to complete treatment. Talk with your health care provider about ways to ease these and other side effects.
To get the most benefit from hormone therapy, you need to take the full recommended course of treatment.
People who complete the full course of hormone therapy have a lower risk of [128-130]:
- The first breast cancer coming back
- Getting a second primary breast cancer
- Death from breast cancer
Learn more about tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors.
Learn more about the importance of following your treatment plan.
Learn about ways to manage hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.
Updated 04/14/26
This content is regularly reviewed by an expert panel including researchers, practicing clinicians and patient advocates.