Scans - Does your MO want these done routinely after treatment??

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DancingElizabeth
DancingElizabeth Member Posts: 415
edited December 2016 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi - My new MO wants me to have a bone scan - one year after I had my first one (which was clear).

But, my previous MO said only bone scans if something shows up in the blood work and/or I am having pain.... And, he said routine scans can increase the risk of leukemia. Yikes!

So....I don't know if I want to have a bone scan or not (when the time comes - which won't be until July of next year)

It's a long way off but I am already obsessing about it because my dx was so horrible....and sometimes I feel like I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop...

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited December 2016

    I haven't had any 'routine' scans. I have had a few scans (MRI's and Bone) over the years BUT they were limited to specific issues that had nothing to do with just 'routine looking for mets Scans'. (The last one was for a torn rotator cuff injury.). I don't want to subject my body to any unnecessary 'just because'. IF something NEEDS to be done - I'm ready but not without a specific reason.

    I do have routine DEXA tests as I have been osteopenia for many years (now osteoporosis - huge HX on both sides of family). I have annual mammos routinely. I see my PA every 6 months and she always orders the same blood work she has for almost 20 yrs. Used to see her yearly, but I got 'kicked to curb' 5 years ago by all my Drs as long as I happily see her every 6 months - hate to even think she might retire eventually.

    Hey, I'd swap my DX for your "horrible" DX! IBC, Stage IIIc, 19/19 pos. nodes. No, on second thought I've already beat the odds more than once. My Drs told me when I hit a year post DX that they never expected me to make it to a year. For IBC, stats say that only 1 out of 4 will make it to 5 years - I'm 7 years and still NED.

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  • DancingElizabeth
    DancingElizabeth Member Posts: 415
    edited December 2016

    Congrats Kicks!! That is amazing!! And, thanks for your reply! I tend to be an already very anxious person and a lot of stress in my life...I will discuss this with my MO...(I don't want to emotionally torture myself more than I already am!)

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  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited December 2016

    It's not recommended in the guidelines, but like Kicks I've had a ton of scans for various particular reasons since my diagnosis. You may have to pay for something that is not guidelines-based out of pocket, because insurance could decline to cover it.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited December 2016

    Just DEXA scans every 2years. MRI once to investigate lower spine. That turned out to be a lot, but not Ca.

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited December 2016

    I have had quite a few due to scares over the 12 1/2 years.......and to be honest I wish I hadn't had so many because they just aren't good for you.....so I would save your scans for the possible scares as we all get them ;)

    Many people say give any pain the two week rule...ie. wait and see if you still have the pain/cough etc after two weeks. I wish I had followed the four week rule..... I would have had less scans over the years as all the symptoms went away after four weeks.

    Just something to think about......

    Jacqueline

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  • DancingElizabeth
    DancingElizabeth Member Posts: 415
    edited December 2016

    Thanks Outfield, Spookies and Jacqueline! I agree that too many scans are definitely NOT good for anyone! Especially people suffering from severe scan phobia - like me and so many others of us!! The mental torture and exposure to radiation...is justnot good for us!

    I will speak with my MO about this...

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  • dAd
    dAd Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2016

    Hi Scared: I had my first bone scan right after my first surgery and my MO ordered another one 2 months ago along with both an MRI and a CT scan. He is one of the top MOs here - heavily into research. For what it's worth, I notice that our diagnoses are not dissimilar.

    Good luck!

    Anne

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