Post Dx Screenings: Type and Frequency?
I am interested to know what type (ie digital mammogram, 3D mammogram, MR!, ultrasound) and frequency of screenings others with stage 1, ER/PR+, HER2-, Dx are getting going forward? And how soon (following Dx / surgery / radiation?) did you have your first follow up screening?
I have heard a range of experiences from those I know, as well as from my doctors and wondering what others are doing.
Thank you!
Comments
-
That's a good question regardless of your ER/PR and her2 status. I hope we hear from others. I've been so wrapped up in trying to understand my dx and plan for treatment that I haven't reallygiven any thought to follow up care post treatment. I do suspect I'll be a nervous wreck before every test and definitely until the results come back.
-
I am being told when available 3D mammograms are preferable. Noting this is not the same as the digital mammogram that is used now for most routine screenings, rather often a 3D is what is what is used when there is a follow up. For post Dx patients, it was recommended to me as preferred routine screening going forward.
MRIs are the thing I am most confused about. I am hearing different things about their benefit in routine post Dx screening. For the most, part my doctors are not recommending it as part of my routine screening going forward, rather they say it should only be used to clarify an issue surfaced by a mammogram. On the other hand, I know someone women who have been advised to alternate mammogram with MRI, and my RO thinks its useful in first few years. The primary concern seems to be false positives that may result in biopsies and added stress. I had this happen during the MRI that was required following my initial Dx so I can understand the concern, but I *thought* MRIs were better for dense breasts and finding DCIS. I've heard doctors say both "yes" and "no" to that!
Frequency also seems to be an area of differing opinions. The impression I am getting is to a large degree it's a combination of personal and doctor preference. I am generally being told annual is sufficient, however when that clock starts has been all over the map from one year from last mammogram, to first one six months after surgery (or radiation, which was post surgery) and then annual from there? I can accept the rational that with my situation -- for those with more aggressive cancers it may be a different case -- that annual ensures that if anything comes back it will be found reasonably early again.
Also, interested in how often and by whom clinical breast exams are being done for you as well. Pre Dx, mine were done annually by my GYN, who will presumably continue to do that -- but should one of my oncologists (MO? Surgeon?) also be doing that?
I would love to know what others are hearing and doing especially regarding MRIs and whether doing more frequent than annual in first few years post Dx.
Thank you!
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team