The fear of breast cancer coming back is one of the most common issues faced by people

A breast cancer recurrence is where breast cancer comes back following treatment after a period of time when cancer couldn't be detected.

It may happen months or even years after the original breast cancer was treated.

Recurrence occurs when cells from the original breast cancer diagnosis break away and hide nearby in the breast (local recurrence), an unrelated new breast cancer occurs in one or the other breast (new primary breast cancer), or the cancer spreads elsewhere in the body (distant recurrence).

Fortunately, Australia and New Zealand have some of the best survival rates of breast cancer in the world. In Australia, the five-year survival rate is 91 per cent and 88 per cent in New Zealand.

But despite recurrences usually occurring within five years after the initial treatment, the fear that cancer may return at any time in life is a very normal and common worry for most people.

In Breast Cancer Trials' latest Q&A event, moderated by TV presenter Annabel Crabb, a panel of experts will be discussing this important topic.

Discussion will include the latest in research and clinical trials, personal experiences of breast cancer, living with the fear of recurrence and how to manage that fear, as well as what help is available.

The expert panel includes Professor Sherene Loi, Professor Prue Francis, Associate Professor and clinical psychologist, Lesley Stafford and Ms Leslie Gilham, a Breast Cancer Trials participant and Chair of the Breast Cancer Trials Consumer Advisory Panel.

Join the informative and free online Q&A on May 11 from 5-6.30pm and click here to register for the event and pose a question to the panel.