Mammogram

Options
Aj1970
Aj1970 Member Posts: 15
edited April 2019 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I am curious to see how often others get a mammogram after being diagnosed? My MO wants every year. I’m not comfortable with that. That’s what I did before being diagnosed. Is that the norm? If it was up to me, I would do every 3 months.

Thanks!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • letsgogolf
    letsgogolf Member Posts: 263
    edited April 2019

    Yes, I believe that is the standard care. I had my first mammogram 6 months after completion of radiation and then just once a year.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Aj1970
    Aj1970 Member Posts: 15
    edited April 2019

    I haven’t had one since they found it. It will be a year in May. I just assumed they would check more often. Or I wish they would.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mymomsgirl
    Mymomsgirl Member Posts: 174
    edited April 2019

    My MO said she will do a breast exam every time I'm in the office and I'm supposed to have my first Mammogram 6 months after radiation (which I can't even imagine right now because I sill have some tender spots) and then back on to my annual schedule.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • juniper
    juniper Member Posts: 110
    edited April 2019

    Regular scans after treatment have not been shown to help patients live longer. You are better off to get yearly mammograms and only have additional tests/scans if you have symptoms. I know it's hard.

    My example: Because of my staging, I have PET scans twice a year. About a year ago, I had a PET scan show about 6 lymph nodes enlarged in my neck that were enlarged and active. I had a surgical biopsy (anesthesia, stitches, etc) - twice. Both times, the results were benign. I had a scan three months later and my nodes were clear. If I wasn't having regular scans, those nodes would have come and gone.

    I missed almost a week of work, spent hours fretting over the situation, and have two scars on my neck.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Aj1970
    Aj1970 Member Posts: 15
    edited April 2019

    That makes sense juniper. I never thought about that. I just stress out over it still. I’m sure that never goes away. :(

    I do get breast exams every time I go to obgyn and MO. AndI know what you mean mymomsgirl, I still have sore spots from surgery. My MO told me today it could take over a year for that to go away.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Salamandra
    Salamandra Member Posts: 1,444
    edited April 2019

    I'm going to have a mammogram once a year and, if my insurance permits it, an MRI once a year. The plan is to eventually get them staggered, so more or less some screening every 6 months. MRIs because of my age and strong family history - basically 100% breast cancer rate on my maternal side - even though I tested negative for known genetic mutations.

    My lump was originally found by an obgyn breast exam, so I do have a lot of faith in those too.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories