How do you know when your cancer free?

If you remain in complete remission for five years or more, some doctors may say that you are cured, or cancer-free. So, on that continuum from diagnosis to reaching the magical five-year (and beyond) cancer-free mark, when did I finally consider myself a survivor?

Can a cancer patient be cancer free?

Some people will be cancer free after treatment but may experience late and long term side effects of treatment. Others may be cancer free after treatment but have their cancer come back and need to be treated again. Still others will need to continue with cancer treatment to keep their cancer under control.

What does it mean when your cancer free?

Officially, both mean that no cancer is currently detectable in the body. That may be based on scans, bloodwork or some other kind of test, such as a breast biopsy or a bone marrow biopsy. “Cancer-free” is a little more complicated, because it’s not based on something we can measure.

What is the difference between cancer remission and cancer free?

Remission allows for the possibility that some microscopic, undetectable cancer remains in the body, while cancer-free indicates exactly what it sounds like: the patient is entirely free of cancer.

When does remission start?

To qualify as remission, your tumor either doesn’t grow back or stays the same size for a month after you finish treatments. A complete remission means no signs of the disease show up on any tests. That doesn’t mean your cancer is gone forever. You can still have cancer cells somewhere in your body.

Why do I need chemo if cancer is gone?

The aim of chemotherapy after surgery or radiotherapy is to lower the risk of the cancer coming back in the future. This is called adjuvant treatment. The chemotherapy circulates throughout your body and kills off any cancer cells that have broken away from the main tumour before your operation.

Can you inherit cancer?

About 5 to 10 percent of cancers are thought to be hereditary. In these cases, an individual inherits a copy of a growth control gene with a mutation from one parent, and a working copy of the same gene from the other parent.

Do you still have chemo when in remission?

Why you may need treatment while in remission The most common type of treatment during remission is maintenance chemotherapy. This is chemo that’s given regularly to stop the cancer from spreading. Maintenance therapy shouldn’t make you feel worse.

Can you be on chemo for life?

Some people have cancer that can be controlled with treatment and they can live for a long time. If treatment stops working, the hope may change again. It may be hope for time to prepare family and loved ones who will be left behind, for telling them what they have meant to you and what you hope for their futures.

What does it feel like to be cancer free?

You think of everything they could say, such as: “We didn’t get it all,” “You’ll need more treatment,” or “The cancer has spread.” But alas, you hear those words you have dreamed of hearing since you were diagnosed: “You are cancer free.” You head home feeling as though you are floating instead of walking, you’re in a state of shock.

Is it possible to have cancer and still have cells?

No. There are two types: Partial: Treatments have killed off most of your cancer cells, but tests show you still have some in your body. Your tumor has shrunk at least to half of its original size or doesn’t grow bigger. Your doctor may also say it’s stable.

What questions should I ask my doctor about my cancer prognosis?

Oncologist Anthony L. Back, M.D., a national expert on doctor-patient communications, talks with one of his patients about what she’d like to know of her prognosis. If you have cancer, you may have questions about how serious your cancer is and your chances of survival.

What is the difference between survival and cure for cancer?

Survival statistics most often come from studies that compare treatments with each other, rather than treatment with no treatment. So, it may not be easy for your doctor to give you an accurate prognosis. Cure means that there are no traces of your cancer after treatment and the cancer will never come back.