Any Ladies in the Vancouver Area with ILC?

Aggiecat52
Aggiecat52 Member Posts: 55
edited June 2014 in ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)

I was diagnosed with ILC in May 2008. This came as a shock as I had no palpable lump, only micro calcs on screening mammogram. I've had many follow ups with mammo and u/s since my treatment. I had a breast MRI last year that showed a small lesion which was biopsied and found benign. Nothing else came to light. I'm wondering if anyone is getting annual MRIs to follow up after being diagnosed with ILC. It sounds like it is done routinely in the U.S. My treatment was lumpectomy, radiation and Tamoxifen. I will be switching to Aromisin in May for the next 2 1/2 years. I'd like to hear about other Vancouver ladies' experiences with this uncommon type of BC. What follow up are you receiving?

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  • Aggiecat52
    Aggiecat52 Member Posts: 55
    edited April 2011

    Just thought I would try bringing this to the top again. Maybe I should just be looking for other Canadian ladies that have been diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma. I'm just wondering what kind of follow-up you're receiving. Thanks.

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  • Kathy044
    Kathy044 Member Posts: 433
    edited April 2011

    Hi Aggie, I'm in the Vancouver area. I was diagnosed with ILC in September 2009. Sorry I missed your previous message, it was just by chance that I caught this one. The list of active topics moves so fast. For better coverage you might ask your question in "The Canadian Connection...calling all canadian women" thread   (it would be interesting to see what followup programs are followed in other provinces too)

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/55/topic/700016?page=142

    In BC as far as I know the standard followup program whether ILC or not consists of a check up with family doctor every six months and an annual diagnostic mammogram.

    I had my first  mammogram last October and they were concerned about some findings in the breast on my good side, something apparently they first noticed on a mammogram in 2002, so they also did an ultrasound of that breast, but didn't find anything of concern, or so I thought. On my checkup with my family doctor a few weeks ago I learned that it was suggested I go back again in six months for another look, so I have that to look forward to next week.

    Though we do not receive annual MRI's routinely, we are being well covered in my opinion. I had chemo, and when I told my doctor recently that on days when I was particulariy active that I feel tired I was sent to have a followup MUGA to make sure my heart function was ok. (it was), so I assume this is just another SE the Armidex that I'm taking. I have some mild breast lymphedema and am at risk of arm lymphedema, and to top it all off when I had my eyes checked I have the beginnings of cataracts. I am so glad that all of these along with breast cancer followup are covered by my family doctor.

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  • Aggiecat52
    Aggiecat52 Member Posts: 55
    edited April 2011

    Thanks for responding, Kathy. It looks like we have a very similar diagnosis. I only did lumpectomy but it seems many ladies with this cancer did bilateral mastectomy. I think your advice is good to post on the Canadian Connection. I'm on Tamoxifen but will soon switch to Aromisin. Is Arimidex an AI?

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  • hlya
    hlya Member Posts: 484
    edited April 2011

    Hi, Aggiecat52 :  I sent you a PM.

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