Scans after breast cancer treatment?

I get either a Chest X-Ray or CT Scan of Chest every 3 months, I am TNBC and Stage IV.  My dr. told me the reason why she was rotating the scans has to do with the amount of radiation I have alerady had,  she didn't want to create any more problems on top of my cancer. I have also had a Pet Scan whole body every year since my diagnois. I am currently NED (no evidence of dieseae).

I was diagnosed July 09, right mx with diep recon, chemo and then rads. My doctors do not recommend any scans unless I have symptoms.  

About 4 months ago, I had a bad back ache and I went to my internist.  I expected her to tell me to take some advil, but she ordered a MRI and a bone scan.  Thank god everything came back clear. 

My oncologist only recommended a chest x-ray, told him I wanted a head to toe scan, he didn't feel it was necessary but I do and in addition I will know the "state of my body" once the scan is complete, it will ease anxiety. So bascially, upon that point I didn't ask, I told him my preference was a scan. He agreed to a full body scan which I will have in March, this is one full year after my diagnosis. We haven't discussed if this will be a PET or CT Scan and I'm fully aware both have pros and cons in identifying tumors but again, it's more detailed in what I want, than a chest x-ray.Also, waiting one year is more beneficial in terms of my insurance paying for most of it as well. Best of luck to you!

I was diagnosed in September 2010 (Stage IIb-IIIa), and have 3 chemo treatments left, then surgery and rads.  Because I am TN and have positive nodes, my doctor will give me a PET scan 8-12 months after my last chemo, to rule out a quick progression.  I had one before we started treatment which was clear, but that can't definitively rule out Stage IV.  After that, I won't be getting any scans unless I have specific complaints. 

I'm okay with this - I want that first all clear, which will ease my mind that I wasn't Stage IV from the start.  But after that, I don't want to be stressing about scans, which knowing me, I would do.

Hi, on Monday, I finished my last rad. tx (33 total).  That was after 5 months of chemo for triple negative.  I worked during most of my tx but am now taking a wk off as I'm very tired, and scared.  All the tx is over now, and what's next I'm feeling.  These few days off from work have given me too much time to think about the what next, and how my husband handled (or not handled) the whole situation.  He's exhausted!  Told my daughter over the weekend that he's had to pick up so much of the slack that he's wiped.  Meanwhile, he never did laundry, never cooks, cleans or anything, but does do the man's heavy work.  I'm now so resentful of him for being such a cry baby.  I want to say suck it up, when we got married it was in sickness and in health.  He really doesn't get it.  Help!  Also, should I have PET Scans?

I think different doctors do this differently.  Mine thinks that TNBC is such an aggressive beast that it's a good idea to do a full body PET/CT once a year until the third anniversary.  I'm okay with that.  Some patients get nervous and worry themselves senseless, even if all they ever get is good news.

If a full scan will help you sleep better, ask for it. 

   

I believe its all money!! I am so upset with myself for not demanding full scans both during initial treatments and during radiation.



CT scans don't seem so detailed. Then they do PET or mri. My wifes CT was Clean. A week later her neurologist ordered a brain mri out of an abundance of caution. Result 2 brain spots- leading to chest scan leading to lung mets.



What does that tell you??

YES!! You must get a PET scan! I had a double mastectomy just this past October - 6 weeks later I had CT scans of chest, lungs and liver and they all came back clear. One week later I paid to have a PET scan at a private clinic (there is only one in all of BC Canada) it came back showing extensive mets to bones, liver and locally - actually there was one that was over 3.5cm. My oncologist wanted to start me on supportive (palliative) care. I immediately found a new, highly recommended for thinking outside the box dr. I started right away on Gemcitibine, Cisplatin and Avastin. I just had another PET scan and the results showed that all the distant spreading to bones and liver are GONE - only one tiny spot could be detected in my auxilla which could be an inflammatory response to treatment. Please, please please have a PET scan done - I really think I caught the spreading at a very early stage and that is why it responded so well to treatment. You can email me at jloon@shaw.ca if you have any other questions.

Good for you, jloon!  The sad thing about having an illness like this is that you have not only to recover, you have to advocate for yourself as well.  Thankfully, gone are the times when women went quietly and did not complain. 

Charlene,

Everyone handles these crises differently.  If a man is accustomed to having a lot of support, and it is missing because the supporter is sick, he can behave well or badly or a combination of the two.

Telling everyone that you should be on your feet and moving or nothing will get done is a problem.  Whining that he does everything and not everything gets done is a problem.  He is taking credit for doing all of what you did and leaving the rest for you to do.

There are other forces working here.  The man may be so terrified he would rather run than be there for you, but you should ask that he stay and fight if you still want him.  He may or may not, but at least you will know.

Just to let you know, I married five months back.  I'd said for years that I never would again, but if someone is okay with sitting beside you holding your hand and keeping you company while poison is pumping through your veins, well, they are a keeper.

We now clean the house together.  I cook like hell on Saturdays and Sundays and he washes the cars and cleans the pool and vacuums the house.  I do laundry, and he cleans the wood floors.  The kitchen and bathrooms and tile floors are usually mine, as are the wood furniture and the weekly shopping.  The garbage and recycle, and bottle returns are his.  But if I need a bit of help, all I need to do is ask, and likewise.

What is key is appreciation for what a person brings to the table.  Be sure you have that or at least talk about it.  There is no need to be treated badly.  And if the kids are being told you aren't lifting your weight, you need to speak to them.  Tell them what you have been doing and how hard it has been to do all that while in treatment.  Tell them how much you appreciate how much they have handled.

Do not let someone sweep you under the rug and expect anything from you.  Please.

   

         

   

Good luck today, wishing you only good news...