Tahira Kashyap Battles Breast Cancer Again After 7 Years: Here's What You Need To Know About This Recurrence Condition

Author and filmmaker Tahira Kashyap Khurrana has once again shown her strength and vulnerability by opening up about her ongoing health journey. On Monday, she revealed through a heartfelt Instagram post that her breast cancer has returned, nearly seven years after her initial diagnosis in 2018.

Tahira, who made her directorial debut with 'Sharmajee Ki Beti,' shared a powerful note with her followers, stating, "Seven year itch or the power of regular screening- it's a perspective, I had like to go with the latter and suggest the same for everyone who needs to get regular mammograms. Round 2 for me...I still got this."

Keep reading to know everything about Breast Cancer Recurrence, including its types, symptoms and risk.

What is Breast Cancer Recurrence?

Breast cancer recurrence refers to when the cancer returns (recurs) post-treatment. Following treatment, breast cancer may recur months or years later. Although recurrent breast cancer can be treated, it may reoccur again.

The Susan G. Komen organisation states that within the first five years following treatment, women with early-stage breast cancer most frequently have local recurrence. Between 7 and 11 percent of women with early-stage breast cancer often have a local recurrence during this period.

Types of Breast Cancer Recurrence

According to the Cancer Centre, there are three types of Breast Cancer Recurrence:

Local recurrence: This occurs when breast cancer returns to the same area of the breast where it was initially diagnosed.

Regional recurrence: This diagnosis is made when breast cancer is detected in nearby lymph nodes or the chest wall.

Distant recurrence: Also known as metastatic breast cancer, this type happens when cancer cells spread from the original breast tumour to other parts such as the bones, liver, and lungs. Even if cancer spreads to a different area, the tumour still contains the same cancer cells as the original breast tumour.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer Recurrence

As per medical reports, below are the symptoms of Breast Cancer Recurrence:

Unintentional weight loss

Headaches, bone aches, or any new, unusual pain

Difficulty breathing or wheezing

Seizures

Persistent fatigue

Fever, chills, or a cough that doesn't improve

Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

Unusual bruising or bleeding

Digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, or difficulty swallowing

Presence of blood in urine or stools

Any unexplained lumps or areas of swelling

Treatment of Breast Cancer Recurrence

The treatment for Breast Cancer Recurrence depends on where the cancer has returned, Hormone receptor or HER2 status, previous treatments and your overall health and personal preferences.

Below are the treatment options for Breast Cancer Recurrence, as per the Mayo Clinic:

Local Recurrence:

Surgery: If the patient didn’t have a mastectomy before, it may be done now. If a mastectomy was already done, doctors may remove just the tumour and some surrounding tissue.

After surgery, other treatments are often added:

Chemotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells

Radiation therapy (if not used in the original treatment)

Hormone therapy if the cancer is hormone-sensitive

Targeted therapy if the cancer has markers like HER2

Regional Recurrence:

Surgery is done to remove the affected lymph nodes.

After surgery, treatment may include:

Radiation therapy

Chemotherapy

Hormone therapy (for hormone-positive cancers)

Targeted therapy (for HER2-positive or other specific types)

Distant Recurrence

Drug treatments are the main approach, such as:

Chemotherapy

Hormone therapy (if the cancer is hormone receptor-positive)

Targeted therapy (if the cancer has HER2 or other markers)

Surgery or radiation may also be used, but mostly to relieve symptoms, not to cure the cancer.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any concerns or questions regarding your health or medical condition.

news