Why didn’t they do scans on my mom???

Most oncologists will not scan for mets in early stage cancers unless there are symptoms as there are studies that say that the timing of mets diagnosis does not affect longevity.
The best thing you can do for your mom right now is be calm and patient. You will get more information in January and until then try to be there for your mom and quit researching on the internet. Enjoy the holidays and try to forget about the cancer as much as possible. My oldest daughter and I did jigsaw puzzles last Christmas break and it was a nice bonding experience and it keeps your mind focused on something that is not cancer. Right now is the most difficult time until your mom has a treatment plan, but it will get better. Keep us posted.

It's not standard of care to check for mets in early stage cancer. I was scanned because of one positive lymph node (sent by my surgeon not by oncology) and then found out it was overkill---wish I hadn't had the extra radiation exposure.

Sorry about your mom's diagnosis.

Juleseyes,

Just adding to the very good comments shared with you.

I had “normal” mammograms for over 30 years, but late last year had an abnormal one, ultimately diagnosed with Stage II cancer (Stage II due to one cancerous lymph node). Had a jumpectomy, genomic testing which showed no value in chemotherapy, and similar to edwards750 had radiation therapy (which serves to destroy stray cancer cells not in the tumor itself) and am now receiving hormone therapy. Like your mom, I had an outstanding surgeon and oncologist team.

As I read a lot of literature and I would encounter people, I would frequently be asked/confronted with the same question of why no subsequent scans. I would get fearful, but would ask my doctors.

As has been shared with you, there is risk in constant scanning that doesn’t yield useful results.

What you will learn is that the pathology report yields great value in determining treatment, and other tests such as Oncotype can yield even more. Trust that the individual actions: surgery (to remove the primary tumor and provide tissue for testing), radiation (to destroy stray cancer cells) and chemotherapy and or hormone therapy (to ward off against cells being stimulated to grow abnormally) are each forms of treatment. When these come together in a plan, supervised by a medical team, your mom will be receiving the best. I know I did

I was where your family was a year ago Christmas-with an abnormal mammogram, but waiting for subsequent biopsy, diagnosis, and treatment plan, I cried just about every day-could not get past the fear. This Christmas I have already had surgery, radiation, taking hormone therapy, and my first “clean” mammogram. So know that your mom is on the pathway to good health again.

We’ve been there, and will be here for you.

Jules,

Wishing you and your family a happy holiday, despite the the current situation. I think you were smart to visit the NCCN web site, because as you’ve discovered, misinformation abounds. It even happens here on bco from time to time but we have many knowledgeable members who can direct members to reliable sources.

As to saying that scans need to be done, some people do want everything done, even if there’s no real benefit to it. If their insurance will cover it and the doctor writes the orders, patients who demand scans can and do get them. I believe a few have even paid out of pocket (very expensive) for scans, but as you have learned, scans are not as benign as some think.

Wishing you the best

Jessie,

It may depend on YOUR cancer type. You say that you had an incomplete initial diagnosis. Your tumor was 1.3 cm, but what KIND of ILC (ER?PR?HER2?) and WHAT grade (1, 2, or 3)? I had an MRI because my cancer was aggressive --- triple positive, Grade 3. But, if I were Grade 1, ER+/PR+/HER2-, I doubt would would have gotten an MRI. You can't necessarily go by someone else's scan history.