How often does your onc want to see you?

Fearless_One
Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

They want to see me like every 3-4 months and I think that's ridiculous.   I am nearly 2 years out and have no symptoms of mets or anything.   I am trying to get back to some sense of normalcy.   I would think 6 months is sufficient?   They keep calling, sending reminder cards, etc.  

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited July 2011

    Fearless One, are you on tamoxifen or an AI? That could be the reason for the close follow-up. I was told after Stage III tx was over that I would be having follow-ups of every 3-4 months while on the meds then go to every 6 months.

    Best of luck.

    Leah

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited July 2011

    Yes, I have been on Arimidex for a year with no problems. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2011

    My onc. sees patients quarterly for 3 years, and then twice a year at that point.  I have friends that had similar stats graduate to bi-annual after 2 years, I think it really depends on the onc.  As the patient I think you could tell them you want to come in twice a year unless you have a specific concern.  

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited July 2011

    Okay, I guess I will talk to her.   I could understand if I was having problems or bloodwork had come back flukey, but otherwise, I would rather come every 6 months.   Plus I lose 1/2 a day of work everytime I go, cost of co-pay, etc.  

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  • sundermom
    sundermom Member Posts: 463
    edited July 2011

    Fearless One,

    I'm not as far out as you (I can't wait until the day I am, though), but my MO will be seeing me and I'll be having a CT scan (PET every October) every 12 weeks for the first two years.  After that I'll move to appt/CT every 4 months until I reach 5 years.  At the 5 year mark my appointments will be every 6 months and he kind of made it sound like that would go on indefinitely.  I want to move one too, but I have to say for right now I'm OK with the idea of receiving happy news every 12 weeks.  I'm hoping as time goes by that I won't need these reassurances :)

    Tammy

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited July 2011

    Wow!   There is no way I could do scans that frequently.   I wouldn't even be able to afford the co-insurance. 

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited July 2011

    First year my onc saw me every 3 months (every time when I was on chemo though). Now that I'm about to reach my 1 year post BMX I see her once a year and my BS once a year alternating 6 months. I'm getting off pretty easy but it does make sense to me.

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  • Octobergirl
    Octobergirl Member Posts: 334
    edited July 2011

    I see my onc. every 6 months. I go in every 3 mths. for bone loss tx. and can schedule a clinic appt. to coincide with that those txs. if needed. I'd call and ask why the doc wants to see me so often...

    Good luck and congratulations on two good years! 

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited July 2011

    I just don't want her to drop me for not going in enough.   She's kind of a tough lady.   She's a good doctor, but she is very strict.

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited July 2011

    I graduated to 6 month visits after my second three month visit. Unfortunately, i am there each month for my Lupron injection. I have the feeling I will be joined at the hip with the MO at six month intervals for the next few years. When I see him in a few weeks, I want to discuss cutting loose the breast surgeon. He insists on six month visits, for what I don't know. I visit the radiologist every six months and see the gyno and internist each,twice a year as well. I don't need anyone else touching my body.

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  • SharonMH
    SharonMH Member Posts: 353
    edited July 2011

    Hi  I am 2 years out and I see my onc. every 6 months and my radiologists every 6 months. So I go  in every 3 months. I have a blood test for tumor markers 2 times a year,  SharonH

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited July 2011

    Yeah, my BS wants to see me every 6 months.   But I have no breasts....

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited July 2011

    Fearless I have no breast as well. Both the BS and onc want to check the scars and lymph nodes. This is the most likely place for local recurrence. Since we can't get mammos anymore we get physical exams.

    Edit to add
    Although we got a BMX there's still some breast tissue left. They can't get it all. They get most of it though.

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  • starbeauty
    starbeauty Member Posts: 327
    edited July 2011

    Fearless... my BS said I could be done with her after 1 year post unimx (no recon), but I am with you re. the every 3 months with the onc being a little over the top.  To control some of it - I told my rad onc I was done with him unless something came up.  I argued with my onc and got him to move it to a 4 month mark - but he looked at me shocked and said they were following American Cancer Society protocol.  I don't care about protocol... I need peace.  I know he is being proactive, but you know as well as I do that nothing happens in these visits that couldn't be scheduled if we notice new pain, changes in menopause status or other.  I am going to press for 5 months at the next visit. 

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