If you have breast cancer, you will be offered surgery to remove the cancer.

You may also be offered additional treatment such as radiation therapy, hormone treatment, chemotherapy or a combination of these.

Your breast cancer specialists will manage your ongoing care. Any need for more treatment will be discussed with you after your surgery.

The following websites offer more information about the treatment of breast cancer.

• New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation
• Cancer Society of NZ
• Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition
• Cancer Australia

After your treatment

Annual check-ups

If you have had breast cancer it is very important that you have regular check-ups with your doctor, because you are at increased risk of developing breast cancer again. These check-ups should include a clinical breast examination and an annual mammogram.

We recommend you continue to see your breast specialist or GP for these check-ups. They will organise an annual mammogram for you through the public hospital or at a private radiology practice. The mammogram is free if it is organised through the public hospital.

Women who have had a mastectomy can still have mammograms of the other breast

Enrolling for 2-yearly mammograms

For the first 5 years after a breast cancer diagnosis, you will need close follow-up by a doctor. After this, women aged between 45 and 69 are able to enrol or re-enrol for their free 2-yearly mammograms. You should still have a mammogram in the other year – your GP or specialist can arrange this.

You will need to sign up for an appointment – you won’t be automatically invited.

You should also keep seeing your GP or specialist for your annual breast examination. This will cost the same as a normal consultation.