Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Once you have completed your treatment for your primary breast cancer, your surgeon or oncologist (depending upon your treatment plan) will confirm how you will be followed up.
Most patients will be discharged to our Supported Self-Management Programme (SSMP), on an open access follow-up pathway for 5 years, this may be extended in certain circumstances.
This is a type of follow-up where you are in control. It means that your normal routine will not be disrupted by regular hospital appointments; instead you can quickly gain access to the breast care team and hospital if and when you need to.
Open Access Follow-Up is accessed via the Breast SSMP Team, who will put you in touch with the Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) team as required. The aim is to provide helpful advice and allow you to have rapid access back to the Breast Multidisciplinary Team, as required.
The Breast Supported Self Management Pathway Team
The team consists of
- Breast Supported and Advanced Care Pathway Lead
- SSMP Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist
- SSMP Support Worker
The Breast SSMP team are here to support you with any concerns or queries following on from your breast cancer treatment.
Monday - Friday, 09.00 - 16.00
0300 613 0100
fhft.
Our Commitment to You
We are committed to supporting you through this journey beyond your primary breast cancer treatment, we aim to educate and empower you to live well beyond treatment.
If the Breast SSMP CNS feels that you should be seen back in one of our clinics because of any symptoms you are experiencing, we will request the next available appointment for assessment.
If necessary, further investigations may be organised and an out-patient appointment arranged to receive the results.
Sometimes, verbal advice may replace the need for an outpatient appointment and may be supported by correspondence to you and your GP. We hope that this enhances and promotes your ability to care for yourself once treatment has been completed and enables you to benefit from the team expertise as required.
The telephone service for the Breast SSMP Team is open Monday to Friday, 09.00 - 16.00. If your call is not answered immediately please leave your name, hospital number and a short message. We aim to return your call within 3 working days. If you prefer to write down your concerns, please send an email on the below address.
What happens now?
SSMP Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Consultation:
2-3 months after your final consultation with the consultant, you will have a consultation with a member of your SSMP Breast CNS team. During this appointment, you will have the opportunity to discuss the following with your nurse specialist;
- Your diagnosis (what type of cancer you had)
- Your treatment plan
- Your holistic needs assessment (HNA)
- Information on endocrine therapy and bone density scans (if applicable)
- Your future mammogram appointments (if applicable)
- Signs and symptoms to report to us
- Being aware of changes within your body or breast/breasts
- Getting further help and support
- How to contact your nurse specialist/support worker if you have any concerns
End of Treatment Summary
Following on from your nurse led consultation, you will be provided with a end of treatment summary and care plan based on your individual needs, this will also be shared with your GP. This will be shared via your MyFrimleyHealth app, or will be sent to your home address if you do not have access.
Education sessions
These are informal group video consultations designed to give you further information on the following subjects:
Managing menopausal symptoms after Breast Cancer
Approximately 90 minutes
This sessions provides information on:
-
The role of Oestrogen
- Endocrine therapy
- Common menopausal symptoms after breast cancer and how to best manage them
Emotional Wellbeing after Breast Cancer
Approximately 45 minutes
Topics covered in this session include:
- Recognising the signs and symptoms of emotional distress
- Introduction to practical techniques to help to manage these symptoms
These sessions are available by appointment only, you can e-mail or call to schedule. These sessions run fortnightly and time slots vary from morning to late afternoon.
We are also happy to discuss face to face or individual sessions, please contact us for all bookings.
Health and Wellbeing Days
We understand that the transition to a supported self management pathway can be an emotionally and/or physically challenging time, we aim to educate, support and empower you to live well after breast cancer treatment.
Building on this, we offer bi-annual community based health and wellbeing days. These face to face events bring together professional and voluntary sectors with expertise in a range of wellbeing specialties such as:
- Exercise and nutrition
- Menopause and Cancer
- Social connection
- Emotional support
These sessions are available by appointment only, please e-mail or call to reserve your place.
Follow up Imaging
People who have had breast cancer are at increased risk of developing a further cancer in the same breast (recurrence) or a new cancer in the other breast. For the majority of women, mammograms are the recommended way of checking for breast cancer.
The current recommendations are that you should have annual mammograms for five years following a breast cancer diagnosis or, for younger women, until the age of 50 years.
Mammogram dates
You can expect your mammograms to be scheduled around the month of your original date of diagnosis, this should be clearly stated on your treatment summary.
If you do not receive this booking, please contact the Breast SSMP team.
Results of Mammograms
After your mammogram, you will receive a letter with your results. We do not routinely give these results over the telephone. If you do not receive your results within one month of having your mammogram, please contact your CNS, through the Breast SSMP Team.
Sometimes, after having treatment for breast cancer, mammograms are not as easy to read; therefore, we may recall you so we can carry out further assessment or investigations. The radiology department will contact you by telephone if this is the case.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme
A screening invitation is sent every three years to all women between the ages of 50 and 70 years.
If you have recently undergone treatment for breast cancer and receive an invitation to attend for a screening mammogram during the time you are attending the hospital, please cancel the appointment with the NHS Breast Screening Unit, telling them that you are receiving regular mammograms at the hospital after treatment for breast cancer.
After five years follow up imaging:
- If you are aged over 50 years: After five years of follow-up at the hospital, you are advised to attend your mammogram appointments through the National Breast Screening Programme every three years through your local screening service.
- If you are aged under 50 years: After five years of follow-up we will recommend that you continue with annual mammograms within the hospital until invited for routine screening. You will then be offered mammograms every three years through your local NHS Breast Screening service.
- If you are aged 70 years or over: after five years of follow-up, you will not routinely be called for screening, however you can continue to have mammograms every three years by requesting an appointment. Please contact your local NHS Breast Screening Unit or GP to arrange this.
DEXA scans and Bone Health
When you are taking an aromatase inhibitor such as Letrozole, Anastrozole or Exemestane (anti-hormone therapy) you may need one or more bone density scans (DEXA scans). These scans are important for us to know if there is any pre-existing bone thinning that we will need to recommend supplementation for and closer monitoring throughout your therapy. Your End Of Treatment Summary will include information on your DEXA scan if applicable.
Please note that if you have been prescribed adjuvant bisphosphonates (Zoledronic Acid), it may not be relevant to undergo DEXA scan.
Regular exercise including weight bearing as well as Vitamin D and a diet high in calcium will help to maintain bone health.
For more information on looking after your bone health, please visit www.theroyalosteoporosissociety.com.
Anti-hormone therapy
Patients with hormone sensitive cancers are prescribed anti-hormone tablets, also known as endocrine therapy. Anti-hormone therapy will include Tamoxifen, Letrozole, Anastrozole and Exemestane. Some pre-menopausal patients may be started on an ovarian suppression injection alongside an oral tablet.
The purpose of these medications are to lower the risk of a breast cancer recurrence.
The duration that these medications will be recommended may vary on an individual basis. Your End of Treatment Summary will confirm the start and end date of your anti-hormone therapy, and this will be discussed with you at your initial consultation with a member of the SSMP team.
You will not have to pay for your medications as you are entitled to free prescriptions. A medical exemption certificate is available from your GP surgery or through your Breast SSMP Team, if you do not already have this.
Side effects of anti-hormone therapy
These therapies may cause menopausal symptoms, each person is individual with their symptoms and we understand that this can have a big impact on your everyday life, your Breast SSMP Team are here to support you to live as well as possible on these medications.
Your symptoms will be discussed at your nurse led consultation and you have the opportunity to join our virtual educational session on Managing Menopausal symptoms after Breast Cancer
It is important to read information leaflets on your anti-hormone medication to understand the risks and symptoms.
If you are experiencing any concerning or debilitating side effects that you feel are linked to your endocrine therapy, please contact your SSMP team prior to your initial nurse-led consultation and throughout your 5 years SSMP follow up.
Breast Cancer Recurrence
It is important to know that survival rates for breast cancer are improving all the time and that modern breast cancer treatment is usually very successful. However, breast cancer can sometimes return. There is no maximum time span as to when breast cancer can return but for most people the risk reduces over time.
It is important that you are aware of what to look out for and what to do if you become concerned about anything. Breast cancer can return:
- In the treated breast (local recurrence)
- In the nearby area under your arm, above your collarbone or neck area (regional recurrence)
- In the other breast (rarely) or
- Elsewhere in the body (distant recurrence also known as metastatic breast cancer or secondary breast cancer)
Signs and symptoms
You may be more aware of certain symptoms such as aches and pains, and may be concerned that any pain is related to cancer. Below is a summary of symptoms that you should report to your Breast SSMP Team.
These symptoms do not necessarily mean that your cancer has returned as they can be caused by many other common conditions.
If you would like more information on your individual risk or signs and symptoms to look out for in the future, you can talk this through at your initial nurse led consultation, or contact your Breast SSMP Team to discuss.
Summary of symptoms you should contact us about:
Please contact us if you experience:
- A lump or a swelling in your breast, in the skin after a mastectomy, above your collarbone or in the neck area, or under your arm
- Any skin changes including dimpling, puckering, redness or raised spots on your breast or mastectomy scar
- Nipple discharge
- If you develop lymphoedema (affected side breast or arm swelling)
Or if you experience:
- Any new, on-going localised pain in any part of your body, especially in your back or hips, that does not improve with painkillers and which is often worse at night and worsens over time
- Pins and needles and/or a loss of sensation or weakness in your arms or legs
- Unexplained weight loss and/or loss of appetite
- A constant feeling of nausea
- Discomfort or swelling under your ribs or across your upper abdomen
- A dry cough or a feeling of breathlessness
- Severe headaches - usually worse in the morning
- Loss of balance, reduced and/or sensation in arms or legs, loss of bladder/bowel control (for these symptoms we would recommend A&E for urgent assessment)
- New extreme tiredness that does not go away
Breast awareness
Being breast aware is an important part of caring for your body. We know that after having treatment for breast cancer it can take some time to become familiar with your treated breast.
It is important to regularly check your breasts and chest. You can do this around once a month. You can find leaflets and websites which may be helpful, your CNS can signpost you to this information.
If you notice a change, please contact your CNS, through the Breast SSMP Team.
Please follow these links with help and guidance on checking your breasts, produced by Liz O'Riordan - A breast cancer surgeon who was also a breast cancer patient: Checking your breasts:
https://
Side effects of treatment
All treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy) have the possibility of some side effects and some of these can last longer than others. Not everyone will experience side effects and some patients may experience more difficulty with them than others.
Below are some of the common side effects, you may experience:
- Breast discomfort or tenderness
- Menopausal related side effects
- Treatment related fatigue
- Lymphoedema of the breast and/or arm
If you have had chemotherapy, you may possibly experience some long term side effects such as fertility issues, effects on the heart and altered sensation in your fingers and toes (peripheral neuropathy). If you have a concern about any of these side effects, please contact your Breast SSMP Team.
Contraception
Even though you may not be having regular periods, you may still be able to get pregnant. Effective contraception is important. Depending on the type of breast cancer you had you may be advised to avoid hormone based contraception.
Your GP or practice nurse will be able to recommend a local family planning centre where you can discuss your individual needs. Please call your Breast SSMP Team if you have any further queries around fertility and contraception.
Breast Reconstruction and prosthesis:
If you have had a mastectomy and decided against reconstruction but change your mind at a later date, please contact us to discuss delayed reconstruction. If you had radiotherapy, we will advise you to wait at least a year after completion of radiotherapy. In some cases surgery can be offered to correct unequal breast sizes and you can be seen back to clinic if you wish to discuss this further. It is natural for breasts (treated and untreated) to change over time.
If you need advice about breast prosthesis or would like to book a fitting, please contact your Breast SSMP Team to make an appointment in the Breast Prosthesis clinic.
Feelings and emotions:
Everyone will have different feelings when they no longer need to see their medical team regularly. Some people feel relieved that they can start to get their lives back to normal, others may be concerned about what can happen in the future and anxious about losing contact with the hospital where they received their treatment. Most people worry about the cancer coming back. This is very normal and usually these anxieties lessen with time.
Realising that there is a problem and getting help is the most important thing you can do. While it is normal to feel low from time to time, sometimes you may find the way you are feeling is interfering with your enjoyment of life. If you are finding it difficult to cope, your Breast SSMP CNS may be able to arrange an appointment for one to one support or counselling. It may also help to contact a local or national support organisation such as Breast Cancer Care or Macmillan Cancer Support. Their contact details can be found below.
Other Useful Contacts:
In Hospital Support:
FPH - Frimley Park Hospital
WPH - Wexham Park Hospital
Breast CNS Team, through Breast SSMP Team
FPH/WPH 0300 613 0100
fhft.
Prosthesis Fitting
0300 613 0100
fhft.
Mammogram appointments
Frimley Park 0300 613 4140
Parapet 0300 614 6299
Macmillan Information and Support Service
WPH
0300 615 4886
fhft.
FPH
fhft.
Local Support Frimley:
3 Counties Breast Cancer Support Group
01344 774149
jackiew
The Fountain Centre
01483 406618
rsc-tr.
www.fountaincentre.com
Look Good Feel Better workshops
www.
Kindred Spirits Choir
kindredspiritschoir
Local Support Windsor:
Sakoon Through Cancer
Supporting South Asian women through Breast Cancer
Www.sakoonthroughcancer.org
Involve—Face to face support through and beyond cancer
Bracknell/Wokingham/Crowthorne
National Support:
Breast Cancer Care
Free Helpline
Tel: 0808 800 6000
www.
Breast Cancer Now:
0808 800 6000
www.
Menopause and Cancer
Support with menopausal symptoms during and after cancer
www.
Future Dreams
Breast Cancer Charity supporting patients up to 10 years post diagnosis
Macmillan Cancer Support
Free helpline
0808 808 0000
www.
Cancer Research
www.
If you require any further support, we will discuss this with you at your initial nurse-led consultation
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Cancer care service.
About this information
Service:
Cancer care
Reference:
HH/014
Approval date:
7 July 2026
Review date:
1 July 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.