follow up plan after treatment?

usen2010

Hi,

I've finished my chemo in July and just finished the radiation in Oct. Now I am on herceptin every 3 weeks for a year and tamoxifen for 5 years. Since the treatments are over, the next concern would be watching out for it's coming back. I've asked my MO the follow up plan. He said besides the yearly mammogram to the healthy breast, they will see me every 3 months for the first 2 years just to check with me if everything is ok, but they won't do any scan unless I have symptons. I was wondering if any symptom comes up, wouldn't it be too late?

I am curious how the others' follow up look like.Thanks.

Ang7

I have the same set-up.  This makes me feel like any symptom I have ie: cough, fatigue, bone pain etc. is it a cause for alarm?  This seems to be the way it is done by many oncologists.

Anonymous

I have the same follow-up plan.  Nothing unless I have symptoms lasting over a period of one week.

Lee64

 I  saw my MO in August after finishing radiation and I will see her again in two weeks. She said that a PET scan would be done in January and then another one in 20l3. I don't know why the "after care" varies.

Megadotz

usen2010 it sounds like your MO is following the ASCO guidelines for breast cancer follow up:

http://journeyforward.org/breast-cancer/american-society-clinical-oncology-2006-update-breast-cancer-follow-and-management-gui

The Journey Forward site has information and forms for survivorship treament plans.  My MO puts together a one of their treatment plans for her patients when they finish active care.  It has a pretty complete profile of the treatment and any issues.

Here's a description of the process:

http://journeyforward.org/about-survivorship-care-planning

It's long journey and it's good to have information about where you've been and where you're going.

Meg

tvacrat

I am seeing my breast surgeon for the first time after finishing radiation. Any idea what I should be asking?