Breast Cancer, Metastatic or Recurrent

Cause

The exact cause of breast cancer is not known. After you have had breast cancer, you have a higher than average risk of cancer. When cancer comes back or spreads, it is called recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. In most cases, a recurrence will show up within 5 to 10 years after a first diagnosis.¹

Although cancer is always treated aggressively, if even a small cluster of cancer cells is missed, cancer can come back (recur). If your breast cancer has recurred, you may feel angry or frustrated and may second-guess your previous treatments. And you may lose hope. But recurrent or metastatic breast cancer can be treated successfully. Some women live for many years, managing their cancer like a long-term health problem. The treatment decisions you and your doctor made in the past were the right ones at the time.

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Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW	Last Updated: August 31, 2007
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology
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