Follow up Scans after dx in Canada

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Sig
Sig Member Posts: 138
edited June 2014 in Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer

Hi fellow Canadians, I am curious to see what kind of follow up scans do you get after the completion of your treatment. I have completed all my treatments (chemo, rads, herceptin) then just saw my oncologist this morning and asked about a referral for my yearly scans as I am due for my bone scan, chest ultrasound and chest xray and she basically told me that from now on she will only make a referral if I have a particular symptom. The only test that I will get is a yearly mammogram. I am treated at the Ottawa Cancer Clinic. So I would like to know if it is the same throughtout canada and Ottawa or only my oncologist decision.

Thanks.

Sig 

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited January 2009

    My diagnosis was DCIS with a microinvasion - and I had a mastectomy due to the extensiveness of the DCIS.  So my risk of recurrence, either local or distant, is very low, only 1% - 2%.  For that, I don't need and wouldn't expect any special scans.  But after my first or second post-BC mammogram on my remaining 'healthy' breast, the radiologist noted in the mammogram report that my breast tissue was extremely dense and recommended that I get annual MRIs.  Based on that, my surgeon agreed that I could get annual mammos and annual MRIs - I alternate every 6 months.  I'm now out of my surgeon's care and back with my family doctor but my surgeon gave me instructions to continue with the alternating mammos and MRIs, so now my family doctor orders the MRIs.  Obviously, not a similar situation to yours, but perhaps somewhat relevant in that without a fight, I'm getting both mammos and MRIs rather than just mammos.

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited January 2009

    I live in the Niagara region.  I'm on every-4-month onc checkups, with mammos and ultrasounds yearly on remaining breast.

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited January 2009

    Forgot to add that I will also have yearly bone density scans, as I am on Femara.

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  • Caya
    Caya Member Posts: 971
    edited January 2009

    I get an annual breast MRI, alternating 6 months later with a mammogram and ultrasound,like Beesie.  This is because I have extremely dense breasts and my original tumour was missed by mammo and ultrasound alone, my plastic surgeon found it when doing my breast reduction surgery.

    I see my onc. every 3 months (does blood work), the breast surgeon now just once a year.

    I get bone density through my GP as I have osteopenia (this was before BC). No other scans unless there are symptoms, and quite frankly I am fine with this. I believe that is the protocol in Canada and the US - unless you are stage 4, or have symptoms.

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  • KKing
    KKing Member Posts: 425
    edited January 2009

    I am from Brampton, Ontario and I just finished chemo and rads in November.  My onc is seeing me in May, which would be 6 months.  I will not be getting any extra scans done unless I have a problem.  I requested an MRI as the mammo missed my lump, I found it myself.  So prior to my checkup I am booked for a mammo and ultrasound.   I am on Tamoxifan so I am seeing my family doc to have a pap test done and she is sending me for an ultrasound on the ovaries prior to my checkup with her in March.    I think you are right, the standard is just a checkup every 6 months.   Congrats on finishing treatment.

    Karen

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  • mke
    mke Member Posts: 584
    edited January 2009

    I'm like everyone else, no annual scans and as I've had a bilateral mast. I don't even have mammo.  I am just scheduled to go in once a year for an exam, unless I have some problem.  I do have a bone density scan every year because I have osteopenia.

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited January 2009

    Same story here.  Stage III and no routine scans. I have to admit that there is a lot less stress when you don't have to wait to hear the results of a test.  And I do know someone who passed her annual scans with flying colours only to be dx with mets a few months later.  The theory is that until you experience symptoms of mets, there is no difference in the effectiveness of tx.  I do see my onc every 4 mths and she asks the questions that will tell her how I am doing.  I also get my regular tests (cholesterol, bone density, etc) through my GP.

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  • Dragonfli
    Dragonfli Member Posts: 50
    edited January 2009

    I was dx in 2003, and am in B.C. I originally every 6 months for the first 2 years after treatment, and then just my GP. I have a full blood draw every six months still, as I am triple negative. I think after my next blood draw, which includes my tumour markers.I might be doing the blood draws once a year after my next one as I  was 5 years from date of dx October 2008. I still do the mammos once a year.  I have heard the same thing from my onc as prettyinpink, that scans don't change the treament for mets, and it's really about dealing with symptoms when they arise. I personally hate any extra scan or test, as I had my fill of them through treatment!

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  • Sig
    Sig Member Posts: 138
    edited January 2009

    I feel better now knowing that you girls not getting yearly scans also, so I guess it is a protocol or may be because it is better for us not having extra radiation for nothing.

    best of luck to all.

    Sig

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  • koshka1
    koshka1 Member Posts: 678
    edited January 2009

    Hi there ladies...

    It has been 1 year for me.

    And apparently I am getting yearly mammos on both breasts,,the good and the bad which i am not too impressed over.......

    I also asked my oncologist for an mri which I had during radiation treatment...well..my boob was glowing..so they decided redo in 6-9 months..so I am just waiting for the second one....

    I am hoping with enough "b-tching and complaining" that I will do an mri 1x a year and a mammo 1x a year.

    As for the scans, from what I heard, they don't do regular scans unless you have a symptom, and in which case, they get you in right away. 

    Hugs and be strong...

    ps...any of you near Vancouver??????

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  • tuffgirl
    tuffgirl Member Posts: 63
    edited June 2009

    Hi I'm in Vancouver! my diagnosis below. I'm 47 now.

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited April 2009

    In Ontario, they only seem to test if you have a problem.

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  • Beverly11
    Beverly11 Member Posts: 443
    edited May 2009

    I am in Winnipeg and currently undergoing chemo.  What blood tests should your doctor order for the follow ups?  Is anyone getting the markers done?  I have been told that this isn't being done much anymore as they were inaccurate.  I hope they ask a lot of questions on our checkups.  I have heard they like to put you back onto your GP.  I would like to stay with a specialist.

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