Is it odd to go to once a year mammos 1 year after diagnosis?

I have only had annual mammograms and ultrasounds with three monthly alternating appointments and physical exams by BS and onc during first two years. I initiated my own blood tests. I believe my treatment is in keeping with protocol in Australia.



It sounds like you are being well looked after.

My doctor sends me for mamo every 6 months on the cancer side and yearly on the non cancer side. So every other Mammo, I have both breasts done. At my cancer center they do this for the first 2 years then  go to annual for both sides.  For blood work, I go every 3 months, then at 2 year mark, they will switch me to 6 months.

Good luck to you.

My mammograms were every six months for two years post lumpectomy, then switched to once a year. What I miss is that the every six month exams were "diagnostic" which meant I saw the radiologist who read them immediately following the scans. When I went back to once a year my mammograms became "screening" again which means I do not see the doctor but get a brief report in the mail with a copy to my oncologist. But I guess that means I am doing well so I won't complain.

me, been doing diagnostic mamos on the bad boobie every 6 months for 3 years and full screening mamo on both once a year.  They have me wait for the results the same time.

unfortunately, this past June, had a screening mamo as all had been great for 3 years and on this I had to wait on the mail.
bummers as new junk on it, back to diagnostic to find out all B9 but now will be back on 6 month thing for...not sure how long

What blood tests are you doing every 3 or 6 months? Tumor markers or ?? (someone mentioned "complete blood workup." Not sure what that means)

My plan: annual mammogram and annual B-MRI, offset by 6 months, assuming the insurance approves the B-MRI. But even if they don't, my docs say an annual mammogram is enough since each one exposes us to radiation. (yes, my RO mentioned the radiation exposure. Hullo? Didn't I get a lot of exposure from him??) Perhaps the frequency is based on your risk of recurrence or grade of BC. Mine was grade 1, the slow growing kind. Perhaps recommendations vary if the tumor was grade 3. (?) I also get a physical breast exam each time I see my cancer docs (MO every 3 mon, BS 6 months).

Peggy: I just started taking Vesicare for my stress incontinence. The ob/gyn didn't mention a word about possible liver problems.   Now I'm re-thinking my decision about taking it.---Darn----

I went for mammo every 3 months after treatment for awhile and then 1 time a yr even now and I am a 18 yr Survivor(Praise the Lord) and try and give back as much as possible, the right breast each year, the L mast side was every three months for a yr, God Bless Us ALL. msphil(idc, stage 2, 0/3 nodes,L mast,chemo and rads and 5 yrs on Tamoxifen)

Hi Y'all:

I just had my first post diagnosis mammo and got the "ALL CLEAR".  I will have a mammo every 6 months on the left breast and stay yearly on the right breast.

I did real good until I stepped up to the machine, then the mini meltdown started.  The techs are just wonderful and were so understanding and encouraging.

My DH was with me and was in the waiting room.  When I came out and gave the thumbs up, he had tears in his eyes even though he kept telling me it would be all clear.  Bless his heart, this journey has been hard for him since he feels helpless.

Take care,

LaDonna

I ask the lab to send copies of my bloodwork to all my doctors. If one doctor does your bloodwork instead of the lab, ask him to send copies to the other doctors.  They do it on the computer so no big deal for them.

bedo, I'm glad you have received replies from women very similar to you in Dx.  Obviously. a woman with a more agressive cancer should bear closer monitoring but, face it, a lot of these slow-growing ER+/PR+ recurrences don't even show up until agter the 5-year point.  For this reason, when I reached the two year mark, I put myself on annual mammos, rather than every six mos.  I don't think all that squishing and extra radiation was doing me any good.  The irony being, mammos did not even find my B/C in the first place.  The radiologist didn't put up a fight when I said this was my intention, although I am sure whe would have been happy to have my business twice a year rather than just once, as insurance will pay out for every six mos.  So, if you WANT a mammo every six mo., I bet you could get one, but I don't see the point myself.

Also, bear in mind that what you will get yearly will be a diagnostic mammo, not just a screening...so it's a good look.

You may find that when you get to the 2-year point, you will only have to go for bloodwork every six mos.  This is a common interval.

dogsandjogs, It does not sound like your imaging center is on the ball, or maybe they just have one clueless dodo working the phones, I don't know.  It is my understanding that while you are in the 5-year follow-up, you should be getting the diagnostic mammos.  I believe it is two (or more) extra views on an oblique angle, sometimes a couple of magnified views.  You're getting those whenever they put on those "paddle" shaped attachments. 

Next time, if they give you, the patient, the option, why not reply that you already had lumpectomy and which are you SUPPOSED to get?   If phone person has no idea, ask for someone who does.

Thank you Elimar! My onc had not mentioned I needed one so I went ahead and scheduled it on my own.  Around the 6 month mark I had asked when I should get one and he just said "Not yet."

Elimar: I didn't have rads. After an hour-long discussion with the RO I decided against it due to my cancer being on the left side, serious osteoporosis, etc. And I'm only at a 4 percent risk over someone who DOES do the rads.

I'm not sure they are dangerous, but they are only 85 percent accurate (according to my doc)

And after having them annually for 30 years, they still missed both cancers. I found them myself doing my monthly self-checks