Blood tests or scans

My onc only asks for a lung x-ray once a year.  She doesn't use scans without symptoms and I have blood work done every 3 months. It looks like you were dxed around the same time.  Isn't it great to be alive!

My doctor doesn't do scans; except for breast MRI (dense breasts) and yearly mammo.the dye they use in CT scans...etc...over a period of time with lots of scans...isn't good for your kidneys.  so, unless there is something going on...my doc doesn't do scans.  i get blood work done every 6 months and tumor markers.  that is it.  just the way i like it*    congrats on being finished with treatment and also expecting 5th grandchild* wow***

blood work only before every 3 monthly appointment

good to hear others doing well

It is the same with me, just blood work and a chest X-ray every other year.  My oncologist says, otherwise, she would just be giving me unnecessary radiation....

Pretty much the same to report as the other ladies.  My onc does blood work at my 3 month check-ups, but he won't do tumor markers as he believes them to be unreliable   After my initial PET, I was told they would orders scans only if I have specific symptoms that need to be addressed. I trust from experience that he will do this quickly because I have a had a couple of times where I was having some unusual pain and he order the scans/results stat.  I still suffer from "scanxiety" so that approach if just fine with me .  I believe that my BS orders breast MRI's at some intervals but I haven't gotten to that point I guess because they have not scheduled me for one. I see him at the beginning of July and am going to ask him abou that then.  When he and I discussed it in general terms previously, I was like, why do I have to do a breast MRI when you took both of them?  I was unaware that even with a BMX a small amount of breast tissue remains behind (what????), and that, along with maybe using the MRI to detect any other abnormalities in the area, is the reason.  Anyway I hope that this general consensus in terms of how we are monitored gives you more comfort and peace of mind. Hugs, Tara

Well, no bloodwork at all for me or scans unless I have symptoms.  At first I was uneasy but now I am glad I don't have scans.  I do get a mammo on my remaining breast since I had a single mast.

I have tumor markers/blood panel every 6 months. Other than the tumor markers, what are they looking for in the lab work that would indicate a problem? I know elevated liver enzymes could indicate a problem there, but which values are they looking at for possible  bone mets?

Cyndi

no bloodwork, markers, or scans for me at all - just a yearly breast mri and mammo and ultrasound (but these are looking for recurrence, not progression) - nothing to check for progression unless I complain that something hurts me.

I'm five years out & still having a CBC every six months (no tumor markers though - onc says too many false positives can happen). No breasts left to mammo! Have had 4 nuclear bone scans (1 at DX, 3 later on due to various bone pains - turned out to be arthritis this last time).

I'm HYPER-alert to any change in my body, which drives me crazy a lot of the time!

Julie

Hi, just read through this thread agan and ck55 post drew my attantion, asking, what values are they looking at in lab work for possible bone mets?? Would like to know myself. Thanks ck55 for asking.

Karina