Poll -post Onc. doesn't do follow up scans/tumor markers tests.

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Rachel1
Rachel1 Member Posts: 363
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

My onc. doesn't do scans or use tumor marker tests. He does do blood work -- complete cbc -- and I see him every 3 months. I was told by his nurse praction. that I don't make the protein for a tumor marker test (has anyone ever heard of this?). Anyway, just wondering how many node positive women don't get scans or tumor marker tests.

I was dx in 2010 with IDC 4.5 cm, grade 3, 7+nodes and BRCA2+ 

Thanks,

Rachel 

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  • luckypenny
    luckypenny Member Posts: 150
    edited May 2012

    My onc is guideline oriented as well. No scans unless symptoms. He will scan immediately if you have symptoms and are worried. I am stage 3



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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited May 2012

    no scans but does do tumor markers and blood work every 6 months.  seems to work. you want to avoid lots of scans as the radiation and the stuff they inject is not so good for kidneys.  symptoms are the best way to go.  if you have symptoms you go in and talk with your doc....and then they follow up.  our bodies have a lot of stuff going on after treatment. it doesn;'t always mean it is cancer.  the few years after treatment are difficult as it feels like every ache and pain is cancer.  it is hard. hang in

    diana

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited May 2012

    I was told I will get a CT scan once a year. I think I'll get TM's every 3 months. Not sure yet if I will get mammos once or twice a year.

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  • TectonicShift
    TectonicShift Member Posts: 752
    edited November 2018

    no scans or tumor markers here

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  • BlancheLin
    BlancheLin Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2012

    My onc did petscam every year for the first three years.  Now he does bloodwork,exam every 4 months.  I just celebrated my fifth year out NED, and he wants to do another petscan after I have completed arimex.  I don't want one, I find them to be to stressful!  I just hate what they are looking for and hate waiting for results.  I would prefer systematic.  I would appreciate any suggestions or thoughts any of you could offer

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  • katyand4
    katyand4 Member Posts: 171
    edited June 2012

    My doc is in NH...no scan or tumor markers for me.  If I have a symptom then we'd do a scan otherwise bloodwork every 3 months.  

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited June 2012

    The only thing that I have ordered is a yearly mammo on remaining breast. My rads Dr was the first to 'kick me to the curb' followed shortly by my surgeon as long as I see my PA every 6 mths - not a problem. I see my Chemo Dr every 6 mths and he says that will continue 'forever' as I'm IBC and he wants to be sure I stay on Femara/letrozole forever. I have had a couple of scans/tests in the 2 1/2 yrs since end of TX but they were for specific issues - none turned out to be CA related that my PA ordered. My Chemo Dr does not order any blood work before seeing him now but my PA orders them every 6 mths at least and sends him the info. I see her in June and Dec and him in Aug and Feb.



    I'm ready to do any scans needed but I do not want any unnecessary radiation. I had cataract surgery in Feb - VA's protocol is that if you have not had a chest x-ray in 2 years you had to have one before any type of surgery. I fought it and won - no chest x-ray and did get the cataract surgeries.



    Stage III is Stage III but is only a modifier of the Type (IBC/ILC/IDC/LCIS/DCIS or other very rare types). Just as ER/PR, HER2 modify the DX. We are each unique - thankfully!

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  • Celtic_Spirit
    Celtic_Spirit Member Posts: 748
    edited June 2012

    No scans or tumor marker tests. My onc said my tumor marker test came back "normal" when I was first diagnosed, so it's kind of useless for me. I'm glad I don't get scans...I get terrible "scanxiety." I had CBCs twice a year during the first year after treatment, but none now. Arimidex does increase cholesterol levels, so my onc tests for that once a year. I see my onc twice a year, and it's more like a friendly chat about health-related things, vacations, and the merits of iPad I and II vs. iPad III.

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  • Rachel1
    Rachel1 Member Posts: 363
    edited June 2012

    Okay, this is making me feel better that there are quite a few of us that aren't routinely scanned and getting tumor marker tests. I think hitting my two year mark has me a little freaked. Like if the shoe is going to drop, it might happen.....can't even finish this sentence.  Thanks ladies for your responses.  It's good to know you all are out here and I'm not so alone :-)

    Rachel 

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited June 2012

    Add me to the list of people who do not get scans or tumor marker tests.  At first I was unsettled by this but now I am glad. 

    I see my med. onc. twice a year and my rads onc. twice a year.  I love both of my docs so I hope to stay on that schedule as long as possible.

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  • Wordwrangler
    Wordwrangler Member Posts: 29
    edited June 2012

    NO scans or tumor markers here either. No symptoms no tests.

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited June 2012

    No scans or tms for me either.  But I get the testing if necessary.  I have a MRI in 3 weeks for neck pain that xrays show as degenerative disc disease.  I never have a problem getting things checked out.

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  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 1,727
    edited June 2012
    Nothing here either unless there are symptoms. None so far Smile
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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited June 2012

    Same here until recently...I'm on my 3rd onc and the first 2 didn't do any TM's or scans (unless symptoms present).  My new onc. does do TM's so, it's all new for me. 

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited June 2012

    No scans unless symptoms are persistent. Last one I had was 2-1/2 years ago before my DIEP recon (PET/CT. That was at my request not because I had any symptoms but to be sure things were still NED before I spent the money on recon. Onc does bloodwork every six months which includes CA27.29 tumor marker test. 

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  • sugarplum
    sugarplum Member Posts: 318
    edited June 2012

    No scans without symptoms (I have had a few nuclear bone scans but nothing else except for my baseline CT at diagnosis). Onc does CBC every 6 months - rads Dr just turned me loose last year - plastic surgeon sees me every 2 years to check on my implants.

    Julie

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  • MaxineO
    MaxineO Member Posts: 555
    edited June 2012

    No scans, no markers here. Only when symptomatic. My onc said that whether they find mets early or after symptoms start, there is no difference in survival time. They try to avoid the unnecessary anxiety.

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