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Naturally, this depends on the type of treatment you have.
It can take several weeks or months to recover from the effects of surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. You will need to take it easy for a while - your breast care nurse will give you advice, including how to look after yourself following your surgery. Some cancer treatments can have long term side effects - your doctor and nurse will explain these in detail to you. For example, after breast surgery around 2 out of every 3 women find that they can't move their arm quite as easily as they could before.
Once you are feeling better you will be able to go back to work and start to resume your normal activities and hobbies.
Many women say that - although they feel physically better quite quickly - it can take longer to recover emotionally. You may experience all sorts of feelings... sorrow at the changes to your breast, for instance, or fear that the cancer may come back. The support of family, friends and your health care team - especially your breast care nurse - will be important to you at this time.
If you have had surgery to cure you of cancer, you will continue to see your doctor at a series of follow up appointments. You will also have a breast x-ray (mammogram) each year for five years.
Even though your breast cancer has been treated you should continue to be breast aware, and to report any changes to your doctor.
