5 year survival question

dsub, I can't believe no one has responded to your question yet.

I think the follow-up after 5 years depends on the aggressiveness of your cancer, the type of treatment you received, and the opinion of your oncologist.  But, even for early-stage BC, I've been told the follow-up will be for life. 

I'm being seen by my BS (once a year, for mammogram and recheck), my med onco (once a year, for routine bloodwork and recheck), and an endocrinologist who specializes in osteoporosis (once a year).  Those appointments are staggered so I see someone at least every 6 months.

My BS told me that, at 5 years, I could be "transitioned" to a long-term follow-up plan; but that would mean being seen by a physician's assistant or nurse practitioner and my insurance only covers care by a physician. So, she said she would continue to see me every year if that was my preference.

My med onco has told me 3 times now that she thinks women my age (60) who had early-stage BC would benefit more from long-term follow-up with a good internal medicine doc than an oncologist.  She said our risk of BC recurrence is lower than our risk of suffering some other age-related malady, like heart disease, diabetes, etc., or I suppose another type of cancer.  So, I got the sense that she would be "transitioning" me out of her office after 5 years.  Rats. I really like her, but I know she's very busy with seriously ill cancer patients.  I asked my osteoporosis doc what to do, and she said she had never heard of my med onco "firing" a patient.  "She sees them for life," she told me.

I imagine I'll be seeing the osteo doc for as long as I'm on Arimidex/anastrozole, or if my upcoming DEXA bone density scan shows that my bones have tanked.  (So far, they're holding their own.)

I'm 4 years out from chemo, so I have just one more year before this all becomes a serious discussion.  I'd say the best thing for you to do is ask your med onco the question you posed here.  Let us know what you hear.

otter

I'll be having my last chemo this Thursday (yeah!!).  After that, I won't be seeing my MO again.  Apparently this office doesn't do any follow-up visits.  Their attitude is that I continue with my annual exams as I had before, have mammograms every year, and if something "pops up" I deal with it then.  I will be taking Tamoxifen for 5 years so I'll be getting prescriptions through their office but no annual exams.  It's going to be very strange - and even a little concerning:  I have a high Onco score and high rate of recurrence so I was hoping for a more proactive approach, but around here it doesn't work that way. 

To tell you the truth I don't mind popping into see my ONC once a year  or even every six months after I hit the five year mark. Does hurt to make sure all is well.

wrsmith2x - How was your local recurrence found? As it was quite big at 3.2cm. So, sorry to hear it's come back.

Sorry dsub to digress a bit from the reason for your post.

I sometimes wonder do we ever get rid of the breast cancer, like it goes into a remission period, but does it actually go away or are we always going to be afraid of its return and we go and get checked to see how things go. and they take their hand off us for awhile and we  are cancer free, then we go and get another mamo and its all on again. can the doctors or the treatment get rid of it, so we can enjoy life and not  worry that the ugly thing is going rear its head. I try not to think about it,but its difficult at times. i am only asking as its goes thru my mind, that once we have it, we have it and they can only control and observe it.

NancyHB - You aren't that far from Ann Arbor and U of M.  Maybe you should find an there MO to see you at least each 6 mo to start, do blood work and follow you through Tamoxifen.  I finished chemo in January and rads in March.  Right now seeing my BS each 6 months, he orders mammos.  RO in 4 months and MO each 3 months right now overseeing Arimidex and its effects on bone density.

Hi there,

I was 6 years out from chemo/radiation. BRACA1 +, had MRI and found a 0.5cm spot. had a bmx with reconstruction. refused chemo.  Onc. released me to my PS and BS.  See my PS yearly and my Breast Surgeon 2 x a year.  No more mammo or mri.  (may only need MRI to check on the Silicone implants.)  Hopefully the follow ups will catch any thing odd.  Almost 1 year since my mastectomy & recon.  It really does get better.  Good Luck.