Stage I bloodwork??

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BeingHopeful1
BeingHopeful1 Member Posts: 203
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

Hi!

Hope it's ok that I ask a question about my Mother.  She completed treatment for a Stage I diagnosis in October 2011.  She is at her one year "cancerversary," therefore is very busy this week with mammogram, dexa scan (she's post-menopausal and on Arimidex), and bloodwork.  

Just curious, what is the bloodwork for?  Is it to check tumor markers, or something else?  I do not believe she had tumor markers tested before surgery or after.

Thanks in advance!! 

BTW, er/pr+, her-. 

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  • DiDel
    DiDel Member Posts: 1,329
    edited March 2012

    the oncologist monitors your liver functions and alkaline phosphates any increase there could be an indication of liver metastasis or bone mets. At least thats what my onc said.

    Congrats to your Mom for one year out...I am two years out and it does get easier...a little

    Hope all goes well with your mom.

    Diane

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2012
    Bloodwork would likely include a CBC, to check on RBC/WBC/platelets, also potentially some tumor markers like CA27/29 and a CEA, and then also a Complete Metabolic Panel, which is a number of screenings in one sample that would include the ones DiDel described above.
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  • BeingHopeful1
    BeingHopeful1 Member Posts: 203
    edited March 2012

    Thanks Diane and SpecialK!!! 

    That's exactly the kind of bloodwork I was afraid was being done.  I know these things need to be looked out for but as you know, the waiting is torture.  I want her to be screened but I don't!

    Thanks Diane, it's been a long year for all of us, especially her.  Congratulations on your 2-year! 

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2012

    beinghopeful - the CMP and CBC are tests that anyone having a regular physical would have done, no biggie.  The tumor markers would be more specific to her situation, and maybe her MO does not do them - not all do.  They may also look at her Vitamin D level, my MO looks at it regularly. 

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  • BeingHopeful1
    BeingHopeful1 Member Posts: 203
    edited March 2012

    Thanks SpecialK!  

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2012

    You are welcome - and I hope all her check-ups are perfect!  You are a sweetie of a daughter to be worried, she is lucky to have you!

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  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited March 2012

    Beinghopeful, there's a lot of variation and disagreement about screening tests in women who've had early-stage BC.  My med onco doesn't test for tumor markers at all.  She does (or did) order blood work once a year, though -- a chem panel (complete metabolic panel) that checks liver function and some other things.  She's looking for evidence of tissue damage caused by mets, but also for problems that might be caused by Arimidex.

    A chem panel (CMP) is a very common test.  It's so common that my primary care doc orders one each year to make sure the drugs he has me on aren't messing up my liver.  My recheck appointments with my med onco and my PCP are just a month apart.  I let my PCP order the bloodwork, and then I take a copy of the results to my med onco so she doesn't have to repeat the testing.  Everybody is perfectly happy with that arrangement.

    So, maybe if you think about the blood testing as routine tests that would be done with a good, thorough physical exam by a family doctor, it won't seem quite so scary.

    otter

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  • BeingHopeful1
    BeingHopeful1 Member Posts: 203
    edited March 2012

    SpecialK:  Thank you I hope her tests are perfect too!  LOL I don't think she always feels too lucky when it comes to my worrying, rather it drives her nuts :)  I'm a bit over-protective when it comes to my Mom!!  Talk about the tables turning, eh??

    Otter:  I have noticed that some of the other early stagers have different tests run depending on the oncologist.  That is a great idea to have your MO and PCP synchronized like that!  That is one of the reasons I was unsure about which bloodtests were being done b/c her PCP does a CBC every 6 months and thyroid/Vit D every 3 mos., so I assumed MO would just be doing tumor markers, but Mom said she doesn't think PCP and MO communicate so unfortunately some of the bloodtests are pry being done unnecessarily....

    Thank you ladies, for taking the time to reply!! 

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