Breast Cancer, Metastatic or Recurrent

Breast Cancer, Metastatic or Recurrent

Cause

The exact cause of breast cancer is not known. But after you have had breast cancer, it can come back (recur) or spread (metastasize) to other parts of your body.

After you have had breast cancer, you have a higher-than-average risk of having cancer again. If cancer does come back, it often shows up within 10 years after a first diagnosis.1

To learn more about the risk of breast cancer coming back or spreading, see What Increases Your Risk.

Author:
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology
Last Updated:
October 22, 2012
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