Does your doctor measure tumor markers? Any regular imaging?

Nothing, unless I am symptomatic. A mammo every year. 

Mine doesn't do them either. I asked my ONC's nurse why and she said I have early stage cancer and no symptoms to trigger a test so they don't do them. Maybe its just as well for me because I don't need yet something else to worry about. BTW I am Stage 2, Grade 1. Diane

I see my medical oncologist every 6 mos. I see the rad oncologist every 6 months.  No blood work.  No scans.  I also have a mammo once a year on the remaining breast.

I was uneasy at first too but now I'm glad that's all I get. 

This is the plan so far:

Every month:  Thyroid TSH, T4, and  T3. I'm going to see about having my iodine levels checked for the first time this month. See my endocrinologist every few months.  I have no thyroid.

Every 3 months - See my MO, lung CT scan (stupid lung nodules), vit D, metabolic panel, cbc, tumor markers.  I've had several scans including brain MRI due to headaches

Every 6 months: PET scan

Every month: Naturopath.  Tweak supplements and homeopathic if needed.  

I had tumor markers done last week on my 6 month visit with onc.  Also, we discussed past scans with nodes, and so he's sending me next week for new scans to look at those nodules on lung.  I'm stressed so much over it, and now I'm having a lot of spinal pain, and wondering what this is about.

Oceana

I'm 9+ years ago, with no recurrence or mets. I see the oncologist every 4 to 6 months, with CBC & tumor markers. See BS every year, just after mammogram. Oh, and I get bone density scans every 2 years, even on Arimidex (some would have them more often, but so far I'm OK). I haven't seen the radiation oncologist since right after completion of Rads.

The only other scans I've had were due to symptoms. Once had to have a liver scan due to abnormal pre-op lab tests, but all checked out OK & later labs were normal. Also had a brain MRI due to (likely) chemo-brain issues. That was OK, too, and brain fog symptoms are much better with time & brain exercise.  No routine scans.

Minnie72 -- sorry you are having such a scare. Let's hope it's just that -- a SCARE and nothing more!

Oceana -- I also had severe back pain a year or so ago. Turns out I ruptured several disks in my back, totally unrelated to BC. I must admit the fear of mets was in the back of my mind, so I was happy to find it wasn't that!

Every month:  Blood test

Every 2 months -  TM

Every 3 months  - Ultrasound of internal organs, phisical exam

Every 6 months -  chest X-Ray  and mamography

Every year -  bone scintigraphy.

This is the standard of care here, but I want to make MRI, too and will discuss that with onc.

I get a yearly mammogram and pushed for an MRI, which I think I will get six months after my yearly mammogram.  No scans.  I get the 15.3 tumor marker test done.  It has been between 18 and 24 for the last 3.5 years averaging out to about 20. The tumor marker test causes me extreme stress and I have considered asking to not have it. I think I am in the unless you have symptoms why treat category. Say if the cancer did come back and was hanging out in my bones or somewhere else and I had no pain and no symptoms for six or so months (I don't even know if this is possible), Why would I want to have chemo or other treatment for any of that time when I didn't need it. I am very happy to not have scans, they would cause me a tremendous amount of stress....I initially did not feel this way.

Julie, my doc says that the tumor markers are quite unreliable, but he likes to do them, because it is one more tool. He also explained that the range given as "normal" for the test is the range that 90% of tested, healthy patients fall in. However, there is a small percentage of women on either end of that spectrum who are healthy but consistently "score" above or below the normal range. That is why your doc wants to run it again. A friend of mine had BC 10-15 years ago. She said her TMs were always higher than normal, but they were always around the same number. Her doc was not worried, and my friend is still here and cancer-free.

Tumor markers are unreliable for some and very reliable for others. If your oncologist doesn't draw them routinely then it is hard to know whether yours are reliable or not. My oncologist drew them every 6 mos. they were always normal. Last Sept they doubled which made us go for a PET scan. Found one met to the pelvis. I I am very thankful my oncologist had always drawn them.

I see my oncologist every 6 months....since finishing Tx at every visit onc does blood work (tumor markers, cbc, cmp), physical and history....no scans unless symptomatic....I don't see rad onc, but medical onc sends reports....no mammo as I had bilat....Next month marks 8 years since hearing thosed dreaded words!!!

I've never had a tumor marker test.  My Chemo Dr said they are unreliable for some of us so no reason to bother.  I have had a couple of scans in the last 4 1/2 yrs but it's been 2+ yrs since last one and they were all done for specific issues at the time that my PA wanted to be sure about - all were fine.  No 'routine' scans.   I saw her on Tues for my 6 mth appt.  My back has been hurting more, in a slightly different area so after a lot of discussion we decided to be on the safe side and do a bone scan 'just in case' so we can get on it quickly IF need be.  We both think that it's just my arthritis (been there for MANY years) getting worse, possibly pinching a nerve at times or to do with the osteoporosis - but going to be sure.

I have blood work every 6 mths when I see her - basically just 'general stuff' for any usual draw.