Quality of Life After Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast cancer can affect how you feel inside and out, even if you completed treatment years ago.
Even though your diagnosis was similar to others’, the way breast cancer has impacted your life is unique.
What is quality of life?
“Quality of life” describes your overall well-being, including:
- Physical health
- Mental and emotional health
- Social well-being
- Ability to perform daily roles
- Sexual function
- Pain, fatigue and other side effects of treatment or symptoms of the breast cancer
Non-health issues, such as financial concerns, are also part of quality of life.
Managing side effects and other issues that have a negative impact on your quality of life is an important part of your follow-up care.
Quality of life after treatment
Most people report a good quality of life after they complete breast cancer treatment [5-6].
However, you may have some long-term side effects or new side effects may occur months or even years after treatment ends. These are called late effects of treatment and may include hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, fatigue, chronic breast or chest wall pain, lymphedema and a loss of sex drive.
It can be hard to plan for or cope with these late effects since they vary from person to person.
Talk with your health care team about any health issues you have. It may help to keep a record of side effects as they happen so you can track them and discuss them with your provider. Although some conditions (such as early menopause) cannot be reversed, the symptoms can be treated.
Learn about (in alphabetical order):
- Bone health problems
- Changes after a mastectomy
- Changes in the look and feel of the breast after a lumpectomy
- Changes in the look and feel of the breast after radiation therapy
- Changes in the look and feel of the breast after reconstruction
- Cognitive function (problems with memory and concentration)
- Early menopause
- Emotional distress and depression
- Fatigue or insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- Fear of breast cancer recurrence
- Heart problems
- Infertility
- Joint and muscle pain
- Leukemia
- Lung problems
- Lymphedema
- Menopausal symptoms (such as hot flashes and vaginal symptoms)
- Numbness (neuropathy)
- Pain
- Relationships with spouses, partners, other family members and friends
- Sexuality and intimacy issues
- Social support
- Spirituality (prayer, mindfulness meditation)
- Weight gain
Practical issues are also part of quality of life. You may be dealing with financial and insurance issues.
Learn about financial assistance, insurance and other financial issues.
Komen Financial Assistance Program |
Susan G. Komen® created the Komen Financial Assistance Program to help those struggling with the costs of breast cancer treatment by providing financial assistance to eligible individuals. To learn more about this program and other helpful resources, call the Komen Patient Care Center at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org. Se habla español. Learn about other financial assistance programs. |
Watch our video of Komen grantee Dr. Tarah Ballinger who talks about some physical and emotional aspects of quality of life after breast cancer treatment.
Improving quality of life for people who’ve had breast cancer
Researchers are looking at ways people who’ve had breast cancer can improve their quality of life. For example, exercise may improve mood, fatigue and social well-being [7-11].
Social support may also be related to improved quality of life for people who’ve had breast cancer [12-14].
Learn more about the benefits of exercise and social support.
Positive effects on quality of life
Although breast cancer often has a negative impact on quality of life, it may also trigger a positive change in your outlook [15-17].
You may have a stronger sense of spirituality or faith, or a more hopeful view that increases pleasure in your life [18].
Diane Heditsian – Patient, Research & Policy Advocate
“A breast cancer diagnosis will change your life. In the end, sometimes it’s for the better because your priorities get clarified, you can become more appreciative of things that you just took for granted. You grow from adversity in ways you could not have imagined before. Some people even say that there is a “silver lining” to breast cancer.”
Getting involved in Komen’s mission
If you’ve had breast cancer, you’re in a unique position to help others.
There are many ways you can be involved with Komen’s mission through research, advocacy, education and local events in your community. Whether you serve as an advocate, engage with our information or attend an event, everything you do makes a difference.
Learn more about ShareForCures. We also have a video to learn more about it.
Learn more about getting involved in Komen’s mission.
Updated 03/26/26
This content is regularly reviewed by an expert panel including researchers, practicing clinicians and patient advocates.
