Simple questions

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cherneski
cherneski Member Posts: 726
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I have a few simple questions that I probably should already know the answer too, but here goes.

When is my canceranniversary?  Is it my DX date?  My Chemo complete date?  When?

I hear ppl mention tumor markers, I dont know if I have ever had this test done?  Is it a seperate test?  Is it the test that they would do when I had my blood work done in the middle of chemo?  How do I get this test done if it hasnt been done already?  Totally confused about this.

Thanks Ladies!

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited March 2010

    I always use my diagnosis date for my cancerversary.  It seems that different people use different dates so some people say the end of treatment or some use the surgery date. 

    Tumor markers have never been done on me.  My docs all say they are not reliable enough.  However, lots of women get them done so I think it depends on the doc.  I used to want as much testing as possible but now I want as little as possible.  It is hard to move on when test results are hanging over my head.

    I hope that helps.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2010

    I think of my diagnosis date, the day of my dianositic mam and being told it was cancer and to make an appt with a breast surgeon for a mastectomy.  January 13 last year.  I also think of March 18 which is coming up as another canceranniversary, the date of my mastectomy, and finding out there was lymph node involvement that was not expected.  Then April 6 is another canceranniversary because they did the axillary node dissection, took 17 more node and found another positive with cancer cells.  So this entire period is a sensitive time for me.

    image

    Barb

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2010

    I think "they" (oncs etc) use the end of treatment as the date they count from. For me, my Dx date was the most emotionally shattering day, that is the day I use. Other dates have come and gone (surgery, start of Chemo, etc) without any problems, but I found my Dx anniversary to be difficult. You can use whatever date has the most significance for you.

    I don't get Tumor markers done either. 

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited March 2010

    I use diagnosis date, although I remember the date of the mammogram and surgery too.  I asked about the tumor marker test and how could they tell from blood work if I had cancer.   I don't think my onc does the test either, but he did say that there are certain levels on some of the blood work they do that they look for changes in. 

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited March 2010

    i also use my diagnosis date as my canceranniversary.  as kerry said; (((( earth shattering)))

     blood work usually includes: liver enzymes...complete blood count...(white and red cells)..basic metabolism..(which incudes liver enzymes..) and if your onc does it...tumor markers. they use CA 27.29..and used to use CEA. no more CEA but looks at CA27.29 for trends.  there is another one similar to CA27.29...but i don;'t know what it is.  usually only the one. the complete blood work...CBC and basic metabolism is a good snap shot of what is going on in your body. if that stuff is within normal range...you usually are in good shape. 

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  • Beverly11
    Beverly11 Member Posts: 443
    edited March 2010

    I use my surgery date as my cancer anniversary.  Since this is the date the cancer was removed from me it just makes sense.  But, a lot of people use the end of treatment date.  I would like to know what the oncologists answer is.  They must use something consistent for their stats.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2010

    Cherneski,  I am also confused about the tumor markers.  I don't know if I've ever had that test.  I only know that they take blood every time I go to my onc but I don't know what tests are being done.  I see him next week for my Zometa infusion so I'm going to ask about the tumor markers and if I ever had an oncotype dx done.  I guess because my ER is 100% + and PR is 88% + it has a high chance of recurrance without treatment. So that could be why he told me I have a 50 to 75% chance of recurrance without treatment.  Whatever.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2010

    Good attitude Shanagirl - whatever!!

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited March 2010

    Deb.....I use date of Dx as my "anniversary" but I also mark day of bilat....they were just 26 days apart.....tumor markers are blood tests....not all oncs do them.....mine does, but I don't know if I had one prior to Mx....

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