Mammo after rads-who decides when? MO, RO or breast surgeon?

Patti1746
Patti1746 Member Posts: 49
edited May 2017 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Not sure if this is the thread I should post this on.

Obviously my doctors haven't spoken to each other since their recommendation are so far apart. I haven't seen my MO in a while (a month before radiation started) but I did see my Radiation Oncologist and Breast surgeon a week apart last month. RO recommended mammo in 3-5 months with MRI six months after that. My breast surgeon said in 8 months, no MRI. Don't they speak? I told Breast surgeon dr. I wanted mammo before that and she was pretty adamant that 8 months was sufficient. After wearing her down, she finally agreed to me getting a mammo in July for my left breast only.

My feeling is my MO should be making the call - he is the oncologist - not my surgeon. What is your opinion.

thanks

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited May 2017

    My MO said to get a mammogram at the time my next annual one is due. She is deferring to my surgeon for further imaging decisions. I read somewhere (I think the national oncology group, can't remember the name) that standard of care is having a mammogram within a year from the one that caught the cancer, but no earlier than 6 months after the end of radiation to give the post-radiation breast time to heal. I will be getting my first post-treatment mammogram at 8 months (my surgeon will direct all of that), and at that time the surgeon will decide if she wants to do an MRI, based on my mammogram results.

    The way I look at it is the surgeon is sort of the first point of contact for the breast cancer. Usually the first move is taking it out (unless you need chemo before hand),which would be the surgeon's job, and they are super used to dealing with imaging results. I trust my surgeon to do what she needs to do and then get the ball rolling with the various oncologists if needed.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited May 2017

    Everything I've read recommends holding off on mammograms for 6 months after end of radiation. That was confirmed by my surgeon's office, which also handled ordering the mammogram. After that time most imaging has been ordered by my MO although the surgeon's office will also do so if needed but I know this protocol varies. The important thing is not to subject the still-healing breast to a mammogram earlier than you should. I also suspect that the imaging could be less that 100% useful due to the changes that may continue to take place over the period after surgery and radiation.

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  • Ruby3813
    Ruby3813 Member Posts: 96
    edited May 2017

    My BS set up my mammogram for one year from the date I had my lumpectomy.

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  • Connie1230
    Connie1230 Member Posts: 192
    edited May 2017

    I was told 6 mos. after radiation ends by my MO

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  • Patti1746
    Patti1746 Member Posts: 49
    edited May 2017

    I think my RO was off on this one based on your replies and what I read from other sources. My Breast surgeon said a mammo in November which is one year from my surgical biopsy, but I still believe my Medical Oncologist should make the call since he is the cancer doctor, not my surgeon.

    thank you for your replies.

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  • Brutersmom
    Brutersmom Member Posts: 563
    edited May 2017

    I had my first one about 8 months after radiation ended at about the one from I diagnosis. I had a 6 month follow up to my right breast only to verify that the changes noted were surgical/radiation changes. I am scheduled to have my 2 year follow up in June. My surgeon is the one who is scheduling them right now.

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited May 2017

    My BS wanted one sooner than my RO recommended. RO said tissue needs to "heal". I waited 6-7 months, I think. I had them every 6 months for 2 yrs....now annually. My MO just asked what was going on and agreed.

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  • Sorella
    Sorella Member Posts: 107
    edited May 2017

    I think I will find out today. I completed rads last week and am getting blood work and bone density test today before starting hormones. Because I still have a lot of surgical pain (8 mos post op) the idea of a mammogram makes me want to cry! I just wonder how we go on now believing we are free and clear?

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