MRI or CT Scan

faithlmisjw

I suspected that my cancer has returned. Since early this month, I experienced randomly burning pain on my right chest, right above the mastectomy area.  I was told that I need a CT scan.  But from what I read, CT scan emits high dosage of radiation.  It can possibly turn 'normal' cells to 'cancerous' cells.  I am trying to figure out whether I should go with MRI since it does not emits high radiation like CT scan.  Any thought?  Thanks.

nancyh

Hi Faith,

Couple thoughts for you - I personally don't worry much about the radiation from CT scans, I think the media has overhyped this.  The benefit of getting good diagnostic data outweighs the potential harm.  Many of us with stage 4 get very frequent CTs (I've had so many I lose count) and my oncologist never worries about the scans causing more cancer.   If your doctor thinks a CT will give the best information, I'll bet he/she has a good reason.  

Also, maybe one thing to help you worry less, from what I understand, recurrences in the chest/breast don't present with pain.  A local recurrence in the breast probably wouldn't have any symptoms at all (I had a local recurrence in 2007 that was a complete surprise).  Likewise, most of us with lung mets didn't have pain as a symptom.  I think some gals have had shortness of breath or coughing, but for many of us we didn't have any lung symptoms at all.

Final thought - I get occasional random pains (sometimes quite sharp) from my mastectomies.  Even years later, it is possible to have unexplained pains.

Best wishes to you.

Annie62

Faith - I get random burning pain from my lumpectomy scars. Have a local recurrence - can't feel  thing.

I think that CTs are the first step and if they see something they want to take a closer look at they wil get an MRI and focus on the smaller area. MRI's pick up lots of things which may not be cancer. Lots of false positives. But ask your doc why he recommends one over the other.

I understand that you want to minimize testing to avoid unnecessary radiation but you gotta know. Have you had an ultrasound of the area?

Hang in there,

Annie

faithlmisjw

Thank you ladies for your comments.  I will check back with my doctors again.  I truly hope that one day an effective cure will beat breast cancer so it is no longer a threat to women.