Anniversary of last TX or of DX?

Options
Rocket
Rocket Member Posts: 1,197
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

When doctors say that the first milestone anniversary without a recurrance is two years and the next is five years, are they referring to the anniversary of the diagnosis or of the last treatment?  I have heard survivors use different anniversary criteria and am wondering which one the medical community uses.  Thanks for your help!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Seabee
    Seabee Member Posts: 557
    edited August 2010

     I've often wondered the same thing. My impression, based on the scheduling of follow-up visits, is that it is counted from date of last treatment for surgery, radiation, and chemo, and from date of first dose for oral meds.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LJ13-2
    LJ13-2 Member Posts: 235
    edited August 2010

    The start date for any medical discussion is date of diagnosis. This would be for recurrence, survival at x years, etc.

    Many people choose a different date that has meaning for them, but the medical establishment has standardized on date of diagnosis.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Seabee
    Seabee Member Posts: 557
    edited August 2010

    I don't doubt what you're saying, but that would mean that 5 years of tamoxifican or an a/i is only slightly over 4 years, given the amount of time often taken up by surgery, recovery, and chemo.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eileen1955
    eileen1955 Member Posts: 365
    edited August 2010

    I agree with LJ13-2

    I specifically asked my surgeon this exact question and he said anniversaries reflect time of diagnosis.    Medically speaking that is.     

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rocket
    Rocket Member Posts: 1,197
    edited August 2010
    Thanks for the replies.  Well I have had numerous treatments, surgery, chemo, rads, Arimidex and now am having a hysterectomy/oophorectomy this Wednesday.  I'll have a lot of anniversaries.  Wink  I don't know if I've ever seen a consensus on this issue.  I would agree with Seabee about the AI.  I have known some women on an AI even longer than the five years.  When I wrote my original question, I was focused on recurrance more than anything.    I hope it's safe to say that since I was diagnosed on 1/5/10, that I have hit the seven month mark of the five years they typically look more closely for a recurrance.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eileen1955
    eileen1955 Member Posts: 365
    edited August 2010

    rocket; congrats on reaching the seven month mark!    Each month counts, esp in the first 24 months when there is most highly the risk of a local recurrence.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rocket
    Rocket Member Posts: 1,197
    edited August 2010

    Thanks Eileen!  I'm also concerned about the bone/joint pain that I have experienced since I began taking Arimidex in April.  I hope it's not bone mets.  I have the pain in one hip and not the other.  Is anyone taking Arimidex or another AI with bone pain?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories