Stage 3C - Should I have annual PET/CT?

it's a hard call! your peace of mind is worth a lot! on the other hand there is the negative impact of the radiation exposure from the scans. i went to a lecture that talked about how much radiation we incur when scanned...the scans themselves can be carcinogenic! mri is safer but pricey and insurance won't approve it in the absence of some specific symptom. i'm with you, i would love to be scanned from head to toe every year, just to know i'm all good. but then i think about 'saving' up my scans for when i really need them. the whole thing is awful and nervewracking for sure.

some docs do them every year....and some just wait until there is something going on. often times; they just do a localized scan..to look at a specific area. i have had probably only 3 PET/CT scans in 8 years. sometimes just an x ray..or regular ct scan works. i know it is hard when you are feeling things; but they also look at blood work and tunor markers. remember;, it is a combination of tests often times that warrant a PET

I heard a doc on TV saying that a person shouldn't have more then three ct scans in a lifetime if possible.  Remember that radiation does not leave the body, just as it doesn't leave soil, or an area, for many years.  PT scans involve radioactive dye, as do bone scans.  I would have them initially, but look at your treatment - you've got a "good" kind of cancer, I assume they're controlling it with the tamox, plus you've had the added benefit of the chemo and looks like you had avastin too.  :0)  I'm considering that also.  You've got a LOT of layers of protection there!

A PT or CT won't show everything either; you can still have mets and they won't show up.  So I would say the risk outweighs the benefits.  Of course we all want to "know" for  100 percent sure, but there just isn't a way to do that; I'm coming to that conclusion of the past month of panic. 

thinking that you will have long term survival....another consideration is that the contrast ...dye..they inject for MRI, PET and CT scan..over a period of time...can harm your kidney's. so, for me, i dont really want a lot of scans done..and i am 8 years out and plan on another 30 years.

My onc also will do scans only with symptoms. Last week at my regular checkup I mentioned have some lightheadedness and she immediately ordered a ct of the brain. All was ok. It turned out I was just not drinking enough.Make sure you are not dehydrated as this can cause this problem.  I think we will always feel everything is related to the cancer but then again I think thats ok. I will just always let her know when something is not right and let her take it from there. The onc said we will have symptoms before it will show on the scans.

just ask for the first one.

good luck