Follow-up appointments

I have follow-up appointments every three months, alternating between doctors. I saw my RO in March, will see MO in June, BS in Sept. And MO again in December. I will continue like this until 5 year mark. Then I drop RO and BS, and just see MO twice a year. Once I hit 10 year mark, the MO will kick me out too.

Hmm, I had my last Herceptin in December 2015, and I still have follow-up appointments every three months. I also get mammograms every six months and have my second dexascan scheduled for June (I'm on an AI which can reduce bone density). But, every doctor is different!

I'm surprised that they don't want to follow you at least every 6 months. You listed dcis and Idc. Mine saw me every 3 months for a year, then every 6 months for a year. Then unfortunately I had progression, so back in the 3 week loop

I had lumpectomy, radiation and am on my second of 5 yrs. of letrozole. Once my 16 radiation treatments were done, after seeing me weekly during the treatments my RO "set me free." I see my BS or her NP and get mammos every 6 months (alternating between just the R and bilateral—the bilateral is annual). I see my MO every 6 mos. too so she can check how well I’m handling the letrozole and to plan the next semiannual bone treatment (Zometa, which I tolerated poorly, the first time, Prolia the second—and probably for the third and fourth, after which I’m done). Medicare pays for bone density scans only biennially (one every 2 yrs) and I had my first in Nov. 2015, before starting rads or letro, diagnosing osteopenia, so I’m due for another one this Nov.—it will assess either how much the letro weakened my bones or how well the Zometa & Prolia protected them.

I saw the surgeon/his replacement until 2 years out from surgery. The RO has offered annual appointments, to be cancelled if I don't want them. The MO has seen me quarterly for 2 years since surgery, and now will see me every half-year for 3 years, then "annual for the rest of your life."

That is a puzzle to me too. The oncotype of 29 must be on the IDC, which is in the intermediate area. I saw my onc every three, then every six months to five years. Now I'll see her annually. Do you have the option of changing oncologists?

Follow-up appointments:

BS saw me 10 days after surgery, then 3 weeks post-rads; now every six months for 5 years; then , she says, annually after that (until I die or she retires?).

RO saw me 3 weeks post-rads, then 3 months later & 4 months after that; now every 6 months for the next year, then annually for total of 5 years.

MO has seen me every 3 months since February 2016. He has not told me if it will stay that way. I only know I will be with him for 5 years.

Jcolby, you're not being managed well. If I were you I would absolutely find a new MO to manage me. Your dx is not "trivial" nor does it matter what age you are. If you think you should have another 20+ years of healthy living (as we all hope), then you need adequate follow up. At *minimum* you should be seen every 6 months for a couple of years. Perhaps at Mayo you're not as much of a concern, but I would think at a private MO practice you would have eyes on you.

For my follow up care, I see my medical oncologist every 6 months and my surgical oncologist once a year.
My surgical oncologist will order my yearly mammograms from now on, instead of my primary care physician. At the six month check ups with my medical oncologist, he performs a clinical breast exam, refills my Tamoxifen for the next 6 months and go over any issues/concerns that I may have.
I don't see my radiation oncologist anymore. Once I was finished with radiation, I stopped seeing her and won't see her again. My follow up care is in the hands of my medical and surgical oncologist.