Blood Test

Tjay, I think all Oncs have different methods. I get my TM's checked every 3 months, and I was prescribed Tamoxifen for 10 years

It's checked through your blood. Some oncologists don't do this, because there's a question with respect to the accuracy. You mentioned that your MO checks your blood every year. He could be checking your markers.

I would ask your doc about doing a CA 27.29 or CA 15-3 to check your TMs. However, based on what I've read on this forum, this isn't common practice.

When my sister was diagnosed with early stage bc over 20 years ago, MRIs, scans, Checking TMs were common practice. I'm not sure why this is no longer the case. When she was diagnosed with liver mets, she didn't have any physical symptoms. It was found through a routine scan.

I was the same way when I was diagnosed last spring. I had personal issues that overshadowed my cancer diagnosis. I knew I wanted a BMX, but otherwise, I was satisfied with an oncotype score of 16, and a 5% risk of recurrence.

Recently, I've become more curious about certain aspects of my path report.

I'm also curious about the CEA test, which measures the amount of CEA protein which may appear in ones blood.

I have an appt. with my onc. next week to get my chest wall and TMs checked, and I've made a list of questions that really should've been addressed last summer.

Dtad, it is my understanding that once a cancer is going to spread, it does not go through all the stages. Once it spreads it is Stage 4 unless it is a local recurrence in the breast. So stage 1 does not go to stage 2, 3, and then 4. It does go from stage 1 rightto stage 4 if it spreads. Also, tumor marker blood tests are not standard of care. They are unreliable and anxiety producing. Some people did not have elevated tumor markers at time of diagnosis. A simple head cold can raise tumor markers as can dental work or anything that causes inflammation in the body. Most of the newly trained oncologists are not doing tumor markers. .

My MO doesn't routinely do tumor markers or scans for bc patients but is willing to do so if the patient feels more comfortable with that approach. We did talk about the downsides of scans and I agree with her that routine, annual scans are not in my best interests right now. I do appreciate that she's open to a change of approach, regardless of whatever bandwagon ASCO is currently driving.

I've had one lab in 8-1/4 years, and I think he was padding his office income because it wasn't for tumor markers.

My current onco runs no labs. I see her once/year and there are no other scans or tests done. She goes by symptoms.

My first onco told me that any recurrence found--even 6 months out--won't affect mortality/outcome. A tad frightening.