Monitoring my treatment

Now that you have established your treatment plan with your oncologist, and you have begun treatment – new questions and concerns may arise. How will my treatment progress be monitored? What do I do about the side effects I am experiencing?

Your treatment will continue to be monitored by your oncologist for as long as you are in active treatment. Active treatment includes surgery, radiation, and most systemic therapies. If you are taking hormonal therapies, like tamoxifen, your oncologist will monitor your initial side effects. Once all other treatments are completed and it is time to transition your follow-up care to your family doctor, you can continue to take hormonal therapy while under their care.

Your treatments may be monitored through a variety of blood or imaging tests. Stage IV breast cancers typically receive routine monitoring every 2 to 6 months. Tests may include:

• Physical exams
• Complete blood count tests: this test looks at various characteristics of your blood including your red or white blood cells, hemoglobin, or platelets
• Tumour marker tests: a blood test that is performed to look for substances produced by tumours. Some breast cancers, however, do not make these markers.
• Bone scans: an imaging test that looks at bone abnormalities and can help monitor bone metastases
• X-rays: an imaging test that uses small amounts of radiation to create images of inside your body
• CT scans: a 3D imaging machine that takes multiple x-rays at different angles to look at organs or abnormalities within the body
• MRIs: a specialized imaging machine that uses magnetic and radio waves to create detailed images of specific areas of the body

While undergoing treatment, your oncologist will pay close attention to any side effects you are experiencing. Be sure to mention if you notice any changes in your body or your mood. The most common side effects of treatment are outlined below, along with resources to help you manage them.