Follow-up scans after treatment has ended

kmldpl

I was diagnosed in November 2020, stage 1 B (3 small -- under 2 cm) tumors in my left breast, no lymph node involvement. Had a bi-lateral mastectomy, followed by 4 rounds of T&C chemo, and about to start AI drugs. But my doctor said she doesn't do scans -- so no follow-up MRI's, bone scans, lung scans, etc. This scares me! I know some of my friends do get scans, others don't. Wondered if I could get some guidance on what standard follow-up protocol is. Thank you!

VioletKali

Due to implants I have a yearly breast MRI.

kmldpl

Thank you!

exbrnxgrl

I have had implants for almost 10 years and no mri’s. Beside the guide that beesie posted you may see that some people do have more frequent scanning even at lower stages. This is not standard and simply exposes folks to more radiation without much benefit, not to mention the stress scans create for many of us. I am stage IV and went from scanning every 3 months to just once a year. Of course if I have any concerns, my mo would order a scan as needed.

kmldpl

thank you!

edwards750

I didn’t have scans either. I was DX in 2011 with IDC, Stage 1b, Grade1. I had 33 rounds of radiation and took Tamoxifen for 5 years. My MO never suggested scans for me. I took the Oncotype test and my score was 11 with an 8% chance of a recurrence.

My sister had lobular breast cancer and had constant scans. I guess it depends on your MO believes is necessary.

Diane

Salamandra

I asked about follow up MRIs and my doctor agreed and my insurance agreed to pay for it. I think these were the main factors:

• strong family history
• young age of diagnosis
• lumpectomy

I alternate now yearly MRI and yearly mammogram, about six months apart. So far I had one MRI scan that picked up a false positive, which (along with radiation) is a known potential harm of scanning. It was indeed a scary roller coaster ride, even intellectually knowing the highly likelihood of exactly that outcome.

Overall I think I'm still feeling good about this course. That said, my initial cancer was found by a doctor manual exam (my gynecologist). I personally couldn't feel anything even after the doctor tried to point out to me where it was. But ever doctor who laid hands on it found it. So I don't discount the huge value of a simple manual exam by a trained and experienced professional, and I prioritize that as much as the other scans.

Spookiesmom

No scans for me either, until 7 years later I found a pea size lump on the other side. That lit up like 4th of July. Yep, it was back.

moth

there are official guidelines on what type of follow up is evidence based for pts who have finished breast cancer treatment. Figure 1 has the summary

https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2015.64.3809

NorCalS

Thanks Moth, that was helpful. MO doesn’t believe in routine scans, but if something comes up, i.e. headaches for over two weeks, she will order a scan. I received a second opinion, and the second opinion felt that due to my initial staging (3c/4), I should have more frequent physical exams - every three months vs. once a year that MO initially scheduled me on. Second opinion also felt that additional yearly MRIs could be helpful since my breast cancer was missed during routine exam. It just seems that doctors have a lot of flexibility on ordering scans and the amount of time they’re willing to spend on monitoring a patient. It is an adjustment not to have weekly blood tests and monthly exams