Mammogram and MRI

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naturemom
naturemom Member Posts: 16
edited June 2014 in Young With Breast Cancer

Hi ladies!

I just had my 6 month follow up from my mastectomy.  Doc wants me to go for my mammogram and from here on out, get one per year.  I asked her about alternating Mammograms with MRIs.  She said that if I wanted the MRI, she would write the order.  It is up to me.  She gave me the pros and cons to having MRIs.  She said that it is possible that my insurance may not cover an annual MRI.  What kind of follow up have you had???  Has anyone had problems with insurance covering their procedures??

Thanks!

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Comments

  • saffyres
    saffyres Member Posts: 10
    edited August 2011

    Why and how in the world would you have a mammogram after a mastectomy? Did you have a single or a bilat? Have you had recon?

    None of my docs would EVER order a mammo on my recon (implants only) foobs...

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  • HeatherLS
    HeatherLS Member Posts: 29
    edited August 2011

    My doc told me that the "protocol" for follow up after mastectomy is physical breast exam every few months (for now - Im only <1 yr from diagnosis). I will be asking for an annual MRI, though.

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  • AnimalLover
    AnimalLover Member Posts: 24
    edited August 2011

    I only get scans as needed.  Other than that I see my oncologist annually (was every 6 months).  I had a mastectomy and the thought of putting those puppies in a machine scares the living hell out of me.  I would not do a mammogram unless is was deemed absolutely necessary - ouchy. 

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  • MustangIA
    MustangIA Member Posts: 177
    edited August 2011

    I'm confused as well.  Did you have bilat?  I've had one mammogram ever - diagnostic because I found a lump.  Had a bilateral and have never been referred for another one.  I get physical exams only, and will now be having scans every 3-4 months.  Now, if you had a unilateral, then I could understand having mammo on the non-mast side only. 

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  • ratbait
    ratbait Member Posts: 141
    edited August 2011

    I have a mammogram and MRI every year, but I still have my breasts. It is a fight to get insurance approval, but so far have gotten it every tine.



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  • rachel21mel
    rachel21mel Member Posts: 51
    edited August 2011

    I just get the yearly mammo, but I had a unilateral. If I had the chance to get an MRI, I would definitely get it. I'm always wondering how they can detect chest wall recurrences with just a physical exam, but I'm always checking myself as well. 

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  • naturemom
    naturemom Member Posts: 16
    edited August 2011

    I only had my left side removed.  I would get a physical exam only on that side. The right side only would get the mammogram.  BUT --- docs keep telling me to keep an eye on the cancer side; that although minimal, breast tissue is still there.  So it seems that MRIs would be best.  I will get implants on both sides this winter.  I can't imagine squishing implants into that machine.

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  • mikainsb
    mikainsb Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2011

    My MRI in June caught a tumor along my chest wall which a mammogram would not have caught for another year as it was "out of range" of the mammogram. That has made me a fan of MRIs.

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