6 month rotation question

momoschki · November 2011

So, briefly, after a lumpectomy in 2/11 with a dx of ADH, went on to have a breast reduction in May, and just recently had my first post-surgical mammogram, which thankfully turned out fine. Consulted with the BS afterwards who outlined the 6 month rotation I will be following: mammo I just had in November, followed by an ultrasound in May, followed by another mammo next November, and then an MRI in May of 2013.... and so on. From what I have read here, it sounds like most women deemed high risk alternate mammos with MRI's each year. Anyone else following a protocol like mine? Since it doesn't seem to be the norm, I now wonder if I am being monitored closely enough... at the radiology facility I went to prior to my dx, I would get an annual mammo, always combined with an US (dense breasts.) I am quite possibly being paranoid (it wouldn't be the first time!), but just wondering about the experience of others with a comparable dx. Thanks!

Anonymous · November 2011

congrats on the good news! it sounds like they are monitoring you VERY closely for a diagnosis of ADH. I have LCIS which confers a much higher risk, and I do the same 6 month rotation of mammos and MRIs. I would love to have them do the US routinely as well, but they will only do those if indicated. Did they recommend tamoxifen? They don't always; it depends on your individual risk level which is dependent on a lot of factors--any family history of bc?

anne

momoschki · November 2011

Actually, both my oncologist and BS said that tamoxifen would only provide a modest risk reduction, and since I have had a history of endometrial hyperplasia, my GYN definitely did not want me on it. I have been seeing an integrative oncologist who has me on a very formidable supplement regimen as an alternative. No family history at all. I was concerned because it seems like most of the women here labeled high risk are getting annual MRI's, whereas I will only be getting them every other year.

mvspaulding · December 2011

I too had a diagnosis of ADH in June of 2010. It was recommended that I go on Tamoxifen but since I had an upcoming knee surgery I didn't because of the risk of clots. I then had a clean mammo in December and again in June. My BS then said I could go back to yearly check ups. Now I am worried that I am not being monitored enough. I have never had an MRI after my excisional biopsy. Also, the tamoxifen has been put off because I have endometriosis. I can't help but worry sometimes that something may be going on in there and I won't catch it early.

mawhinney · December 2011

Your follow-up program may be based on the type of cancer you had and how or by what test it was discovered. Mine showed up on an MRI. My surgical oncologist describes by cancer as being "sneaky" so for the first 2yr. after my mx my follow up routine was a mammo followed 6 months later by an MRI. An ultrasound was done when needed for clarification. I generally ended up having an ultrasound every 6 months. After the 2 yr. period I went in 1 yr. segments and had a mammo, mri, & ultrasound all at one time. However, I've rarely made the one year mark as I frequently have lumps which need testing. Ask your doctor to explain why he has you on the regimine.

mommy23kids · January 2012

I'm on the six month rotation too recently had a lumpectomy on 12/23 to clear the area of ADH. I'm trying to get my doc to request an MRI to make sure everything everything is clear. They told me since I have no family history or increased risk they'd have to push for it. Im getting a mammo and ultrasound in May also.

What worries me is that that I had no palpable lump only pain in the breast that prompted my GYN to send me in for further tests. Being 29 and 3 kids Im even considering a preventive mastectomy and reconstruction to feel safer.

minkarejn · January 2012

I do a mammo/ultrasound every 6 months and an MRI every year. The mammo shows nothing, never has. BUT, they still do them because they are hoping my dense tissue will start to go away but no such luck. Actually, last year I had three MRI's but I was having issues and needed a second opinion in Seattle.

momoschki · January 2012

Actually, I was recently able to contact my BS and ask her about the rather unusual screening schedule she was recommending for me-- I wanted an explanation for her deviation from the norm. Her answer was that she decides on screening on a patient by patient basis and would weave in an MRI for me when she thought it was appropriate. I want to trust her on this (she is very well known and respected in her field), but I am paranoid by nature. On the other hand, although I do have comparatively dense breasts (50-75%), it was the mammo that first found the calcifications that later turned out to be the ADH.

JanetM · January 2012

For the last 3 years I have done mammos and ultrasounds every 6 months on the breast that originally showed a fibroadenoma and this year lumpectomy confirmed LCIS, ALH and ADH. In November I had a follow up mammo and ultrasound on that breast and will return in June for a mammo of both and an ultrasound oof the left breast. BS said we will decide what else to do at that point, possibly an MRI as my breasts are pretty dense.

6 month rotation question

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