What is the liklihood of breast cancer reoccurring in the opposite breast?

Question

It has been 7 years since I first got it.

Answer 1

I was told that it is higher than the general population, but it isn't real high. I decided to keep that breast. They wanted to do a mastectomy on the second breast at the time they did the first breast.

Answer 2

First I'd like to say God bless you for being a survivor.
I've been involved in studying breast cancer for over 20 years and I write for a number of breast cancer web sites. My Mom was the oldest two time survivor on the East coast until she died January a year ago after fighting for 21 months with her second recurrence. A young woman I who's a co-worker of mine is also a two time survivor and she's only 35. She first contracted it when she was 28. I've been right by her side throughout her journey.
My young friend Sara, gave up both breast just for the reason of your question. However stats show that a recurrence can happen several ways. The first is like Sara's recurrence, It's called a "local recurrence" in that cancer cells are once again detected at the original incision site, usually found in the scar tissue of healing skin. A second type of recurrence is as my Mom had and that's masticates. She was found to have breast cancer cells is her liver, blood and bones, but at 87 years old the fight would be a tough one.
The main factor that's in your favor is you've passed the 5 year mark. That milestone lessens your chances of recurrence dramatically.
You should still do self exams in the remaining breast on a regular basis and have regular oncology visits.
There are a number of factors that could determine the likelihood of a recurrence. Here's a list.
Lymph node involvement:
Your Original tumor size;
Weather your cancer was estrogen receptor positive.
Histologic grade: This term refers to how much the tumor cells resemble normal cells when viewed under a microscope. The scale is from 1 to 4. Grade 4 tumors contain very abnormal and rapidly growing cancer cells.
Oncogene expression: An Oncogene is a gene that causes or promotes cancerous changes within the cell. Tumors that contain oncogenes may increase your chance of recurrence.
Now, I don't know any of your treatments, type and style that you've had, i.e. chemo, radiation, meds you may be taking.
I don't have a need to know all those facts, they're your personal history, but if you haven't heard of some of the items i've mentioned ask your oncologist about them.
Seven years,,,you're doing good. Just keep up with a good diet routine, exercises and regular visits, continued self exams. Do speak with your doctor about your recurrence probability. He or she will go over a lot of what I've written here.
Keep things going, try not to worry yourself with it. You've got a long life to live.....just live it.
None of this information is intended to scare you...it's to inform.
Charlie c.

Answer 3

Depends on what you mean. A metastasis of BC to the other breast is not particularly likely - more likely to the bones or liver and after 7 years you shouldn't worry too much about that.

You can get cancer again, but that is not a recurrence, it is an independent event. Apparently (from what the docs told me) this is not all that rare. I had my second round about 6 or 7 years after the first. The tumour characterists were different and my treatment regimen was different.

Answer 4

Actually statistically it's pretty low. No more likely than it occurring in the first breast the first time. Breast cancer spreads (recurs) more frequently in the liver, bones, and lungs.

7 years is a big milestone ... congratulations !