When should be the NEXT screening?

Muffins123

Hello, 

My mom did a lumpectomy on March 17 this year and she is now doing radiation treatments.  No chemo for now.  After radiation,  how soon should one get screened for breast cancer to make sure it doesn't come back?  I asked the  Oncologist and she said 1 year and that we should consider her cancer free since they did the lumpectomy.  Does anyone else think 1 yr is too long to wait?

Thanks

Worry wart 

voraciousreader

What you are referring to is surveillance screening following diagnosis. Usually, one gets a baseline mammogram 6 months after lumpectomy and radiation is completed.  Afterwards, it is up to the radiologist, oncologist and surgeon to come up with an individualized plan.  Usually for the first 3 years, imaging is recommended every 6 months. I went back to annual imaging following 3 years at the recommendation of my radiologist.

Annie54

I am just now having my mammogram 1 year after diagnosis and 7 months after radiation. Onc recommends them annually from now on so...recommendations appear to be made on a case by case basis.

Sunshineinky

My med oncologist has said that I'll have a baseline 6 months from my last radiation treatment and whatever that shows will be my new norm. 

Muffins123

Thanks ladies for responding.  I wasn't aware of a baseline screening.  I just want to be well informed.