6 month CT Scans "normal"?

Nancy, the sense I got is that all pre-meno women are considered "young" for BC.  I read something today on a BC-research website that said that half of BC Dx's are in women over 65. (That seems high to me, but what do I know?)

Regardless, I've never heard of regularly scheduled full-body CT scans for stage 1 patients. Is that what your MO is recommending?  My DH likes to point out that many tests have drawbacks (in addition to the emotional stress of waiting for results). I don't know CT scans but I think some scans emit a fair amount of radiation; if CT scans are one of them, I'd consider that in deciding how often to do them. Maybe time for a second opinion? FWIW, my follow-up (over the next 5 yrs) is annual mammogram and annual B-MRI, but offset by 6 months. 

Indeed, CT scans emit a fair amount of radiation. Every six months seems like a lot to me. I have had one since my DX, at 43 years of age, and like peggy_j, I have an annual mammo and breast MRI, offset by 6 months. Being early stage, I would question the every 6 months CT scan. The only extra test my MO orders is an annual chest X-ray.

In my bc experience I have found that most mo's think less is more and they choose not to do cat scans or any scans unless "something" presents.  I would ask your onc why regular scans?   I,  like those before me have alternating mammos and breast mri's every six months.   But.......................I did not have a mastectomy and I think that has a lot to do with the oncs choice of followup care.  But ask, so you know what is going on, especially that you will be  going to new drs with the move.

My doctor does scans too, plus blood work, mostly due to my young age (45) and size of tumor.  I'd assume your Onco may do them the first 2 years when the rate of reoccurrence is highest. Perhaps then, after clean scans he will change to an "as needed" frequency.  It's good to ask  him what his plan is. Good luck, I hope you have many more clear scans!

If you are referring to a true CT scan being performed every 6 months, this is not standard practice for stage 1 breast cancer and are not recommended.  CT scans should only be done if needed because of the amount of raditaion that they emit, and medical news reports are now warning drs that the scans may cause cancer. See link to asco guidleines for follow up care for breast cancer patients

http://www.cancer.net/patient/Publications+and+Resources/What+to+Know%3A+ASCO's+Guidelines/What+to+Know%3A+ASCO's+Guideline+on+Follow-Up+Care+for+Breast+Cancer?sectionTitle=Recommendations&sectionId=101150&vgnextrefresh=1 

You need to directly ask your dr why he/she is making this recommendation. Also, I agree with Doc Babs coomment.

This is just me--I would not have CT scans every 6 months just to be sure I was not stage 4. Scans are done in stage 4 patients to make sure tumors are shrinking etc based on chem being given or in non Satge 4 patients when they have compliants of bone pain etc lasting more than a couple of weeks.

You indicate you are stage 1 and I would advise you to get a second opinion on what your medical oncologists is recommending. Just my thoughts.