What is the MO supposed to do for you?

40wDCISnowIDC

I have my 2nd follow up with my MO coming up.  (I am seeing this MO every six months. It is one year since my UMX. I am on tamoxifen because of micromet in the sentinel node.)  At the first 6 month follow up, nothing much was said or done by the MO. I am concerned about what I should be doing as far as vigilance and testing.  I asked about this and was told I don't need any tests, just a regular annual mammo on my remaining breast.  What questions should I be armed with for my next follow up?  Do I need a more proactive MO?

farmerlucy

My MO does not do any regular blood tests either, but does order my yearly MRI and monitors my Tamox and Effexor. I see her every three month for two and a half years, then every six for a couple years thru year five. I have the option of seeing her once a year for years six to ten, which I will do. Mainly I am happy to see her because not only is she a great doctor and a lovely person, I consider the relationship a placeholder if I ever need more extensive treatment.

Anonymous

I see my MO every 4 to 6 months. He orders CBC & tumor markers at every visit. Also found that I was deficient in Vitamin D, so prescribed the intensive dosing that puts the levels to rights, then maintenance Vit. D. (Deficient Vit. D is possibly a factor in breast cancer & recurrence of breast cancer.)

He also keeps tabs of my bone density (I'm on Arimidex, which can deplete bones), checks mammo reports & does breast exam. If I have any concerns or issues, we discuss them & he checks me out. Since I am still on Arimidex prescribed by him, it's only right that he follows me & makes sure I'm OK & not suffering any SEs. I think any doctor who prescribes any long term medication should follow the patient on a regular basis as long as they are on those meds. Once, he ordered a brain MRI due to some cognitive issues I reported. (Everything was OK, probably a sign of "chemo-brain".)

I also see the BS every year (actually, his nurse practitioner since I've "graduated"). She orders the annual mammogram & does breast exam. In the first four or five years after surgery, I also had breast MRIs and Gamma-imaging, but am now back to just mammograms & exam. We also discuss any issues & problems I'm having. On my last visit, I had a terrible case of bronchitis with wheezing that I just couldn't kick, so she ordered a chest x-ray in addition. 

I feel more secure that I am still seeing these doctors. They can address any SEs I might have & also hopefully catch any recurrence in earliest stages. I only saw my RO once or twice after completing radiation (I was still healing from a couple of burn areas).