Should I have an MRI at my 1 year follow up?

trsmith26789
trsmith26789 Member Posts: 8
edited August 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

I am coming up on 1 year from diagnosis and surgery.  I had a unilateral mastectomy and my breast cancer surgeon wants me to have an MRI at 1 year but my oncologist does not think it is necessary.  I did not have rads or chemo as I had an onco score of 10.  I would love to know what anyone else has done...  Thanks!

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  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited August 2014

    I have an MRI once a year, and a mammogram once a year, alternating every 6 months. My oncologist said that insurance companies may stop paying for annual MRIs since they don't make any difference in long term survival. Neither do mammograms, for that matter. He will continue to recommend both as long as allowed. I did not have a mastectomy, only lumpectomy and rads.

    Mary

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  • Rowan47
    Rowan47 Member Posts: 151
    edited August 2014

    Hi there, my onc will only do MRI if any suspicious symptoms....I am 3 years out from last surgery and have only had one PT/CT scan to check on sternum pain. I am all clear, but do have nodule on lung that they will keep eye on. Now just see BS one a year :) I live in New Zealand, so maybe this follow-up is different in other countries.

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited August 2014

    I get a yearly MRI, so far I've had no issue with insurance paying for it.

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited August 2014

    I was getting them every year-- I was the one who requested that we go to every other year...so far insurance has covered 5-6 of them....My onc will do whatever I ask.. I just felt that it was too much "hunting" since I have a mammogram (although I have little faith in those), pcp visit, gyn visit, onc visit--people are at my breasts all year long and after almost 6 years, I just really wanted to limit the testing, stress, etc.  But I have to say, in the early years, it did give me some piece of mind.  

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  • Rubiayat
    Rubiayat Member Posts: 144
    edited August 2014

    I am supposed to have an annual MRI too. After two lumpectomies, more cancer was found on the MRI that was not seen on the mammogram. I feel reassured by getting a MRI as it is the only screening tool being used on my reconstructed breast and if there were to be a chest wall reoccurrence, then hopefully it will be caught.

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  • trsmith26789
    trsmith26789 Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2014

    Thank you so much for your replies...I have my MRI scheduled for November after a trip to Thailand to celebrate my 40th birthday and 20 year wedding anniversary

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  • Sparkle2014
    Sparkle2014 Member Posts: 139
    edited August 2014


    tr smith - my BS told me annual MRI for first year - just to be safe and I want to be sure nothing new in reconst rt and orig left breasts,,,  curious how you feel almost year later ?  we have similar diagnosis and my onca was 9, and when do you turn 40?  I will be 43 sept 4th  just curious - maybe you are also a virgo sister

     

    thanks

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  • trsmith26789
    trsmith26789 Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2014

    Sparkle2014-  I turn 40 on 8/26, yep I'm a virgo.  I'm feeling pretty good my I definitely think about cancer much less a year later.

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