What Happens Now the Chemo n Radiation finished

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Monkeybroth
Monkeybroth Member Posts: 13
edited February 2020 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

wonder if anyone might help?

My sister had a mastectomy recently . She has finished 6 rounds of chemo and is now nearing the end of radiotherapy. She asked her oncologist how ill they know if its gone, and he replied ‘if it doesn't come back’

I am a bit alarmed at this, as is she. Should there not be some k8nd of follow up after..maybe a physical exam, a scan or something.

Or is it as the onc said?

Many Thanks

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited February 2020

    Typical follow-up is periodic mammograms. I only get one every year. I had genetic testing after treatment really only because if it had been positive, I would have gotten alternating mammos and MRIs every six months. Your sister will also probably check in with her MO and RO every six months.

    It sounds like your sister is doing all of her recommended treatment. Odds are on her side that it will not come back.

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  • Monkeybroth
    Monkeybroth Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2020

    hi Ingerp

    Thanks for the reply. She’s in her mid 70’s and i cant help but worry...dont want the medics to dismiss her!

    Reassuring to hear your words .

    All the very best

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited February 2020

    Monkeybroth, just agreeing with Ingerp. But you might ask if they are recommending pills to keep her estrogen levels low - either Tamoxifen or an aromotase inhibitor. But yes, annual scans usually, and scans every six months if it is lobular. Best wishes to you both.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2020

    At 70 it's unlikely she has to worry too much about estrogen.

    Yes, most docs will see you every 6 months for a physical exam for awhile and then move to a year. She's not being dismissed. This really is the standard of care unless she has some rare breed of cancer.

    I screamed & yelled after 5 years until I got an ULS and an MRI - but that was likely only because I had already had a recurrence. And the good news is, everything is fine. The sneaky part is - everything is fine until it isn't, but she does need to move forward and find her "new normal" and try not to dwell on it.

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  • Monkeybroth
    Monkeybroth Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2020

    minustwo and georgia1, thanks for your replies. I had thought they might do a scan or something...i dont know why i thought that! Re anti hormonals, i know they spoke to her about going on these, and they said they are as important, if not more so than chemo , for her type of cancer.

    I am pleased your outcome was good Minustwo.


    Really appreciate your help, this will put both our minds at rest

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