Why follow-up with BS for 5 years?

ej01 · November 2014

I had a relatively simple DCIS case 3 years ago. It was small, completely removed during needle biopsy (although i did have lumpectomy...they verified no cancer left). I had partial breast radiation and declined Tamox. I have been having mamo/ultrasounds (dense breasts) every 6 months for the past 3 years, and now am on the annual mamo schedule. I continue to follow-up with my BS per her standards every 6 months for 5 years. Why do I need to continue to see the BS? Wouldn't my radiologist be able to detect any abnormalities from my mamos? Any I do my monthly self exams....i would know if there were changes. Does anyone know the rationale of continuing to see my BS for 5 years?

WinningSoFar · November 2014

My BS says he sees his patients for the rest of their lives (or his, anyway). At one time, I would have found this complete overkill, but I now think it is a good thing to have someone following you who is an expert in BC. Should new drugs come out, or you have a strange new little symptom, you need someone to watch over you. I like the surgeon particularly because he can do an ultrasound on the spot. Just my opinion.

ej01 · November 2014

Thanks for your response Winning. I guess my gut tells me that I would be more likely to notice minor changes in my breasts than my BS, although i may not know what would be 'suspicious' and what would not. Maybe the followup just forces me to talk about any changes even if I think the changes would be unimportant.

clmtootie · November 2014

My BS also follows closely. Every 3 months for the first three years, then every 6 months for two years, then once a year. Personally, I think it is a good thing.

My SIL is now an 11 year survivor, she still sees her BS once a year and also her Oncologist once a year.

april485 · November 2014

I see my surgeon every 6 months still and then I believe at the 3 year mark, it will be once a year. I see one doctor or another every few months. I see an MO, an RO (was in a clinical trial for partial breast rads so that is why I still see her) and my BS as well as my gyno and my PCP. I am at the doctor constantly it seems! Makes me feel good that someone is always checking, at least for the first few years.

TB90 · November 2014

Hi ej01: I just had my six month follow-up after treatment and my RO kicked me out of CancerCare. Told me to continue to lead a healthy lifestyle, get an annual mammogram and call him if I ever have any concerns. Otherwise, move on with my life as I am as likely to have heart issues or other issues and they don't monitor for everything else. I too believe that I am more likely to pick up on anything unusual than anyone else. He is very open to reconnecting anytime in the future though. Wants me to focus on my overall health and not fixate on breast cancer as the odds are definitely in our favour with DCIS. I literally ran out the door, I was so relieved. But if others find comfort and reassurance with closer monitoring, it certainly can do no harm. Do what feels right for you. And whatever path we take, her is to never needing any of them again!

mrenee68 · November 2014

After 2 years my BS said I don't need to see him anymore unless I have an issue. He told me to continue with my annual mammogram and that was that. I am scheduled to see a new oncologist in January,and I will see what he says. I do feel a little insecure being sent on to live my life, kind of feel like I am without a safety net.

ej01 · November 2014

Thanks for the responses. I think the 5 years in my case came from the idea that if you take Tamox, the BS will follow you as long as you are on that. In my case I am not taking tamox, but am still left with her 5 year 'standard.' Probably I will go along with it...3 years down, 2 to go. I carefully chose her as a surgeon based on her experience and reputation. So if her experience tells me 5 years, that's what I will do, even it it seems a little unneccessary.

Annette47 · November 2014

I have no idea how much longer I'll be followed and by who - I haven't asked and they haven't told me. I do know my mammograms are switching after this next one from every 6 months to yearly but the BS said at the outset "we'll be following you for a good long time"; I know I'm on Tamoxifen for "at least 5 years and then we'll take it from there", so I assume I'll keep seeing my MO as he's the one who prescribes it. I know I have at least one more appointment with my RO (that will come at the 2 year post treatment mark).

I can't see that I'll keep seeing the RO much longer, but since he's my favorite on the team, I wish I could see him instead of the others, LOL.

ballet12 · November 2014

I only did one year follow-up with the breast surgeon, and actually had a problem come up that day on the mammo. I was discharged to her nurse practitioner for the second year follow-up and she was going to discharge me to the "survivor" unit of the hospital (also nurse practitioners), but I asked for one more year as, technically, I should be followed in that office for three years. I go to a large cancer hospital (one the largest in the world), and in order for them to serve new patients, they really do have to wean the current patients (especially low risk patients) to follow up with "physician extenders" such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants. I understand the intent, but it would be comforting to see the breast surgeon for more than one year. I do know that if anything came up, I could easily see her. I will stay with them for the mammos (which are yearly) because their equipment is top notch. I think that the equipment and the radiologists who review imaging are the most important factors in follow-up for those who didn't have bmx. If one is on hormonal therapy, then the follow-up is usually with the medical oncologist, although in my hospital, that would also transfer to the nurse practitioner after the first couple of visits.

Why follow-up with BS for 5 years?

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