when are you considered cancer free

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  • Margeaux
    Margeaux Member Posts: 84
    #22
    When to start counting
    My oncologist stresses over and over no-body is ever cancer-free, but NED, No Evidence of Disease. He started counting from the last active treatment, which for me was Herceptin on Nov. 17, 2010, so that is my starting date.
    M.
  • Mariannemm
    Mariannemm Member Posts: 136
    #23
    My doctor....
    never said. So one day I asked him when I was cancer free. He said the day you had both breasts removed and 17 lymph nodes removed your cancer was gone. I was a stage 3. I celebrate every major date that has to do with my cancer. The date of the dx, surgery, chemo beginning and ending, rads beginning and ending. I have to do that to remind myself how far I have come and to contiune to fight! I love a good party too! I celebrate by making a special dinner for my family, I don't make a big deal about it, I sit down, I tell them what date it is, tell them thank you and that I love them, then we have a toast. My mom died from BC and I always wish she would have included me in her journey. But she felt that keeping it to herself was protecting me so I wouldn't worry. I was in my late 30's when she began the journey. I have a diary of everything so that someday if my kids want to know they can read it. So I say celebrate everyday!
  • Mitzi333
    Mitzi333 Member Posts: 511 Member
    #24
    Mariannemm said:

    My doctor....
    never said. So one day I asked him when I was cancer free. He said the day you had both breasts removed and 17 lymph nodes removed your cancer was gone. I was a stage 3. I celebrate every major date that has to do with my cancer. The date of the dx, surgery, chemo beginning and ending, rads beginning and ending. I have to do that to remind myself how far I have come and to contiune to fight! I love a good party too! I celebrate by making a special dinner for my family, I don't make a big deal about it, I sit down, I tell them what date it is, tell them thank you and that I love them, then we have a toast. My mom died from BC and I always wish she would have included me in her journey. But she felt that keeping it to herself was protecting me so I wouldn't worry. I was in my late 30's when she began the journey. I have a diary of everything so that someday if my kids want to know they can read it. So I say celebrate everyday!

    Not sure, you're ever Cancer Free once the dx
    My Onc is very careful and does not say I'm cancer free ... but the longer without problems the better. Thus far everything is going well and looks GREAT, but he will not declare I'm care free. He suggest I Enjoy life and not worry about a reaccurance.

    Although everything is going Great, There are no guarantees... So long story short, I celebrate the milestones and Live Life. It's been a long and memorable journey the past year. Life Altering... Lots of growth and Appreciation for life... So I'm Lovin Life and Living it up!!!

    Cheeeeeers ;0)
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #25
    Margeaux said:

    When to start counting
    My oncologist stresses over and over no-body is ever cancer-free, but NED, No Evidence of Disease. He started counting from the last active treatment, which for me was Herceptin on Nov. 17, 2010, so that is my starting date.
    M.

    I wish my doctors would tell
    I wish my doctors would tell me that I am cancer free, but, they can't and won't. Either I hear that everything is the same or no new evidence has been found. I will take that and run! LOL
  • jonahrex98
    jonahrex98 Member Posts: 23 Member
    #26
    when are you considered cancer free
    Supposedly post-op
  • Minka
    Minka Member Posts: 29
    #27
    Kylez said:

    I've never been told that I
    I've never been told that I am cancer free, just that I am in remission. I don't know that those words "cancer free" are ever used, are they?

    My onco...
    My onco told me I'm cancer free. I don't agree, nor does my PCP. My Oncotype DX score was '0'.....but.....cancer is still in my body, and I'm taking good care of myself so I lessen the possiblity of it coming back.
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #28
    Mitzi333 said:

    Not sure, you're ever Cancer Free once the dx
    My Onc is very careful and does not say I'm cancer free ... but the longer without problems the better. Thus far everything is going well and looks GREAT, but he will not declare I'm care free. He suggest I Enjoy life and not worry about a reaccurance.

    Although everything is going Great, There are no guarantees... So long story short, I celebrate the milestones and Live Life. It's been a long and memorable journey the past year. Life Altering... Lots of growth and Appreciation for life... So I'm Lovin Life and Living it up!!!

    Cheeeeeers ;0)

    I dont' worry about it..just
    I dont' worry about it..just curious...some time back friend had melanoma surgery and once done said I am survivor...(no treatments)

    so anyhow...I see posts here people say dancing with NED etc..my drs just say good tests results see you in x amt of time..

    thanks for replies...

    Denise
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #29
    I don't like to be a downer
    I don't like to be a downer or to scare anyone unnecessarily, but I am a prime example of why you just can't let your guard down.

    After 10 years, my surgeon said I was probably cancer-free. After 15 years, my oncologist dismissed me, saying to come back with problems. After 22 years, I had a recurrence in my ribs confirmed with a biopsy. Same ER+ breast cancer metastasized to my ribs.

    My advice is to live like you are cancer-free, but be vigilant. Unexplained broken bones or unexplained symptoms need to be evaluated--no matter how many years out that you are.
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #30
    CypressCynthia said:

    I don't like to be a downer
    I don't like to be a downer or to scare anyone unnecessarily, but I am a prime example of why you just can't let your guard down.

    After 10 years, my surgeon said I was probably cancer-free. After 15 years, my oncologist dismissed me, saying to come back with problems. After 22 years, I had a recurrence in my ribs confirmed with a biopsy. Same ER+ breast cancer metastasized to my ribs.

    My advice is to live like you are cancer-free, but be vigilant. Unexplained broken bones or unexplained symptoms need to be evaluated--no matter how many years out that you are.

    Good advice CC.
    Hugs,
    Linda

    Good advice CC.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #31
    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    Good advice CC.
    Hugs,
    Linda

    Good advice CC.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    sadly I have said to my
    sadly I have said to my husband:

    not if it comes back when..

    I do not even think about it..or worry..

    when I got for tests I never panic or worry...



    Just curious (why I asked) since I hear many say "I am cancer Free"...my Drs just say all tests good..

    Tx for replies..

    Denise
  • username4122
    username4122 Member Posts: 1
    #32
    I prefer the sound of

    I prefer the sound of Nocancerversary, for me it is the day of last treatment.

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    #33
    I dont know either.

    Was it the day they took off my breast?  Was it the day I finished my last chemo?  Was it the day i finished the adjunt tretment?  or will it be the day they take out the port?  Will it be when the 5 yrs are up of taking the antiestrogen. 

    I dont know.  

    Years ago, my son's doc said he never believes we are cancer free that it goes into remission and if they are lucky it dont rear it's ugly head again.  My son has had no symptoms for 16 yrs now.  Praise God! 

    I know that I will continue to take my anti-estrogen meds for 4.5 more years and go about my buisness and try hard to live a healthier life.  VERY HARD TO DO! 

    A prayer and hug to all you wonderful warriors.

    I love ya,

    Annie

  • Liver cancer
    Liver cancer Member Posts: 52 Member
    #34
    NED 30 days, still white glowing

    When does that white glow disappear? I am NED [5/24/2018 : ) ] but I don't feel all energized and ready to take on the world. I am still glowing and have the 'white blight at night' . When are you symptom free? Do I need a 2nd opinion?

  • Liver cancer
    Liver cancer Member Posts: 52 Member
    #35
    camul said:

    I was told never
    That I could be in remission or have Ned, but that unless there is a cure.... But I did consider myself cancer free for 8 1/2 years, which to me was when they did the tests and there was no cancer. So I don't think it matters what we call it, ned, cancer free, remission...

    Glow

    Please tell me how long it took cancer glow to go. I am NED 30 days and still aglow. I am not strong like I was sure I would be, when does that cancer glow go away? Please reply, I  need to know.

  • Susan J P
    Susan J P Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2018 #36
    ksf56 said:

    I'm wondering the same
    I'm wondering the same thing! It says on my chart "In remission" and I've had my first "survivorship" dr. visit. I'm trying to wrap my head around saying "I had breast cancer". I don't necessarily feel right saying "had" yet but I'm working on it. I think we're all trying to put it in our rearview mirror and it getting farther anf farther away. I'm thinking that that is how I want to look at it.

    Karen

    Karen,

    Karen,

     

    I haven't had my surgery yet, I am scheduled for a double masectomy July 3rd.  You said it perfectly for me "I'm trying to wrap my head around saying I have breast cancer".   That is so hard for me to believe.   I think I am still shocked daily as I do things to prepare for my recovery and my first days of "survivorship".   

     

    Susan

  • Mfren
    Mfren Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2018 #37
    Cancer free?

    My doctor actually said the words "you are considered cancer free" when she gave me the results of the tissue tests after my mastectomy. So, I consider the date of my mastectomy as my true cancerversary.  But the other dates in my head won't go away:  date of diagnosis, date of reconstruction surgery, date I finished Herceptin treatment. 

    Mon

  • finbeck
    finbeck Member Posts: 11
    #38
    CypressCynthia said:

    I don't like to be a downer
    I don't like to be a downer or to scare anyone unnecessarily, but I am a prime example of why you just can't let your guard down.

    After 10 years, my surgeon said I was probably cancer-free. After 15 years, my oncologist dismissed me, saying to come back with problems. After 22 years, I had a recurrence in my ribs confirmed with a biopsy. Same ER+ breast cancer metastasized to my ribs.

    My advice is to live like you are cancer-free, but be vigilant. Unexplained broken bones or unexplained symptoms need to be evaluated--no matter how many years out that you are.

    Thank you.  I still have a

    Thank you.  I still have a world cruise to go on.  I plan to do it. 

  • dreaming
    dreaming Member Posts: 26 Member
    #39
    In breast cancer the 5 years

    In breast cancer the 5 years are not important, one is in remission, because breast cancer can be back any time anywhere in the body, reason to have a good follow up for life.

    In this July I am 26 years from diagnosis, long term survivor, I had my scares ,microcalcifications removed from my chest wall behind my masectomy. 

    I believe my survivorship from 2 different breast cancers at the same time in one breast,one invasive was the masectomy and the agressive chemo treatment I received.

    Also 2 years ago a bening mass was removed from my other breast.

    I dont have a family history of any cancer.

    Make sure to allways get a diagnostic mammogram. 

    The only time I did not, the mass was found later.

    My doctor counts from the day I had the excitional biopsy where the one cancer was found,the invasive was found during my mastectomy. 

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