Should I have an MRI at my 1 year follow up?

trsmith26789

I am coming up on 1 year from diagnosis and surgery.  I had a unilateral mastectomy and my breast cancer surgeon wants me to have an MRI at 1 year but my oncologist does not think it is necessary.  I did not have rads or chemo as I had an onco score of 10.  I would love to know what anyone else has done...  Thanks!

YramAL

I have an MRI once a year, and a mammogram once a year, alternating every 6 months. My oncologist said that insurance companies may stop paying for annual MRIs since they don't make any difference in long term survival. Neither do mammograms, for that matter. He will continue to recommend both as long as allowed. I did not have a mastectomy, only lumpectomy and rads.

Mary

Rowan47

Hi there, my onc will only do MRI if any suspicious symptoms....I am 3 years out from last surgery and have only had one PT/CT scan to check on sternum pain. I am all clear, but do have nodule on lung that they will keep eye on. Now just see BS one a year I live in New Zealand, so maybe this follow-up is different in other countries.

farmerlucy

I get a yearly MRI, so far I've had no issue with insurance paying for it.

momand2kids

I was getting them every year-- I was the one who requested that we go to every other year...so far insurance has covered 5-6 of them....My onc will do whatever I ask.. I just felt that it was too much "hunting" since I have a mammogram (although I have little faith in those), pcp visit, gyn visit, onc visit--people are at my breasts all year long and after almost 6 years, I just really wanted to limit the testing, stress, etc.  But I have to say, in the early years, it did give me some piece of mind.  

Rubiayat

I am supposed to have an annual MRI too. After two lumpectomies, more cancer was found on the MRI that was not seen on the mammogram. I feel reassured by getting a MRI as it is the only screening tool being used on my reconstructed breast and if there were to be a chest wall reoccurrence, then hopefully it will be caught.

trsmith26789

Thank you so much for your replies...I have my MRI scheduled for November after a trip to Thailand to celebrate my 40th birthday and 20 year wedding anniversary

Sparkle2014

tr smith - my BS told me annual MRI for first year - just to be safe and I want to be sure nothing new in reconst rt and orig left breasts,,,  curious how you feel almost year later ?  we have similar diagnosis and my onca was 9, and when do you turn 40?  I will be 43 sept 4th  just curious - maybe you are also a virgo sister

 

thanks

trsmith26789

Sparkle2014-  I turn 40 on 8/26, yep I'm a virgo.  I'm feeling pretty good my I definitely think about cancer much less a year later.