Follow up for Stage I's

I did not have chemo, just radiation followed by Arimidex.  At 6 months post diagnosis I had mammograms.  I see my medical oncologist now every three months.   She does CA15-3 and other blood work each visit.  That's all that would be routine but a spot was found in one lung during initial workup so I have had lung CT twice and one whole body PET scan... so far normal so won't have to have those again for a while I hope.  But I am really happy to have the tumor markers done even though some doctors don't like them.   Will have mammogram again at 6 month anniversary.

But you must be HER - so maybe that makes things different?  I understand your anxiety!  

pam 

Absolutely not.  I am stage 1, and finished my chemo in September, finished rads in early December - have my appt (3 month) with onc on Dec. 23.  She does not do any scans whatsover unless there are symptoms to indicate the need for same, and although she does not feel tumor markers are terribly accurate, she does them (had my first one shortly after first visit with her, which she uses as a baseline.  Fortunately my first and before chemo was normal and my second after chemo is even lower.  I will have my third one at my next visit.  She does complete blood work up on each 3 month visit and will continue to do so.  This will go on for the next 5 years at least.  I think after 2 or 3 years, I then go every 6 months, instead of the 3 months.  Good luck to you - you need to be watched with hormone responsive or triple negative.

Linda

Im just 3 yrs out now and the normal for me is: every 3 months the first year, then every 6 months until the 5 yr mark, then back to yearly. My onco doesnt do scans but said he would if I wanted them done. He does do a blood work up each visit though.

I saw my oncologist every 3 months for 2 years and now is every 4 months until I reach my 5 year. I had chemo 4 rounds of A/C and 4 Taxol and a year of Herceptin weekly. and radiation.

I also had a lumpectomy 1.2cm was the size and no LN involvement

My Dr does tumor marker test and CBC. I see my BS once year and Mammo once a year.

Bone Density every 2 years

I take Femara for 5 years,

patoo what is dexa scan?

I get Bone Density test, Is it the medical name for it???

The test I have takes about 10 minutes and Im fully dressed. Is that the one you get?

Sorry Im bothering you again but I just want to make sure,

This is the one I get. And they call it bone density test. Is Dexa the same thing?

Thank You Ann and patoo. I learned something today.

Sheila

I was diagnosed 3 years ago, and am currently doing 6 month visits which just include a physical exam and blood work.  My doctor does not do TMs or any diagnostic tests unless there are symptoms.  When I questioned why no scans, my onc explained that studies have shown that detecting metastatic cancer earlier does not affect survival...  I didn't want to believe this was true - and who knows if this study is right; but the philosophy of some oncs like mine is that routine tests do not affect outcome, they only increase anxiety.  I was skeptical until I had pain in my side and had to have an MRI (it was clear)....  the anxiety was so bad that I never wanted to have another scan ever!   I understand the philosophy better now.  But I do have alot of trust in my onc.  I think it's important to find a doctor that you can connect with, and one that you really trust.   It never hurts to get a second opinion, even at this point in your care.  I got a second opinion after treatment just to make sure there was nothing more to do, so you may want to go that route, too.

You can see my stats below.  I had a 3 month post chemo visit and went immediately to 6 month follow up appts after that.  My onc feels my neck, my fake boobs, my arm pits and that's it.  No blood work, no scans, no nothing.  I saw him last week after just having my nipples done, so he didn't even check my fake boobies this time.  I don't see him until June 2010.  I too feel a bit dumped.  I asked him how I would know if another cancer was growing.  He asked me, how did you find the breast cancer?  When I told him it was found during a routine yearly exam, he said keep doing all your yearly exams and if there's cancer, we'll find it.  He feels the anxiety and false positives of scans and tumor markers aren't worth doing them for stage one.

I have to say that I feel for you.  I am also a stage I four year survivor. I had chemo and radiation and tamoxofen for two years, now on aromasin. However, I still see my oncologist every six months, also the PA. I have my blood work, and she spends quite a bit of time with me.  Is it possible for you to change doctors? I don't mean to upset you, but this is very important that you feel that your are still cared for and that your doctor is involved with your survivorship.  I will send you good thoughts and prayers and hope that you can talk with your doctor. I believe in being proactive.