mammograms every 1 or 2 years after bc dx

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sunshinegirl
sunshinegirl Member Posts: 28

Hi, I'm from windsor, ont. I have been dx bc dec 28/2006. I had my lumpectomy twice (close margin). Now I'm getting ready for radiation in April. Pamplets they gave me at the hospital, says with follow ups for mammos are done every other year like everyone else. Is that true? I think it should be annually.

Comments

  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited March 2007

    I plan to remain in the care of my surgeon for all future diagnostics. He booked me for 6 months mammograms for the first year, and now annual mammograms from this point on.

  • CurlyGirly
    CurlyGirly Member Posts: 547
    edited March 2007

    I was diagnosed in Jan/03, was treated in Oshawa and have yearly mammograms.

  • floss
    floss Member Posts: 57
    edited March 2007

    I had mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and both breasts are treated to a yearly mamamogram. Floss

  • PookieBear
    PookieBear Member Posts: 75
    edited March 2007

    I am have a mammo every 6 months for 5 years.

  • snowmen_n_thongs
    snowmen_n_thongs Member Posts: 428
    edited March 2007
    i am 3 1/2 yrs out and i am having yearly mammos....
    tracey
  • Ontario
    Ontario Member Posts: 99
    edited March 2007

    Yearly for me too. I am assuming that they are either old pamphlets or its a typo. Be sure to talk to your Oncologist about it.

  • Sierra
    Sierra Member Posts: 1,638
    edited March 2007

    Yearly .. please


    )

    best to you
  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited March 2007
    Yearly

    Fists up!
  • bobby
    bobby Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2007

    Bi-lat. masts. Have mammograms yearly.

  • hi5-2006Aug13
    hi5-2006Aug13 Member Posts: 62
    edited April 2007

    I had bilateral last May...just had implants...have been told no mammograms for no breasts. I live in B.C. and that is what both breast surgeon and onc told me?

  • floss
    floss Member Posts: 57
    edited April 2007
    I will insist on annual mammgrams till am 100 years old. For exapnder and implants the techs use different techniques
    ant
  • BarbN
    BarbN Member Posts: 15
    edited April 2007
    Hi, diagnosed March 06, yearly mammograms. Treated in Hamilton, ON. I just had my first 6 month check up with my oncologist, exam & bloodwork. I am told that the bloodwork is only done for the first exam, then not done again???!!! Seems strange to me as blood work gives a good idea of how my body is doing...... any comments?

    Barb
  • Hana
    Hana Member Posts: 48
    edited April 2007

    I am from British Columbia and just about 5 yrs.up. I asked my doctor if I can have mammogram only ever 2 yrs. as before my diagnoses. (I was stage 1, no lymphnodes involved) I was told that I still need to have my mammogram every year. I hate them but I guess better to put up with it then be sorry later.

  • Ontario
    Ontario Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2007
    Hi Barb,
    Diagnosed Dec 05. I was treated in Hamilton as well. Same thing, only had bloodwork at 6 month checkup. My family doc does a complete run of blood at my annual physical and good thing too. My liver enzymes were through the roof. He thinks it has to do with the strain my liver went through with chemo but we are redoing them every 3 months to keep an eye on them. Seems with Cancer you go from all the treatment in the world to nothing. Leaves you feeling kind of lost when it all stops. At least when they were treating it you know you had it and something was being done about it. Now I'm just left wondering when and if it will come back
  • debstitchestoo
    debstitchestoo Member Posts: 155
    edited April 2007
    I was diagnosed in Dec 2000. I had yearly mammograms but missed last year's do to extensive business travel. Too bad because, this year's turned up a recurrence at the site of my lumpectomy and I now have mets to my liver, spine & lung. Mine was 1 cm, stage 1, no lymph nodes involved, good prognosis. Had radiation & 5 years tamoxifen. So go with yearly and don't skip any.

    Debbie
  • BarbN
    BarbN Member Posts: 15
    edited April 2007
    Hi Wanda, I think it's ridiculous that they don't screen our blood... some oncologists at J do, but not mine. He flatly refused, I may look for a new oncologist. I will have my family doctor screen my blood, or my surgeon.

    I wonder when it will come back too, I try not to think about it but it just keeps popping up.

    Barb
  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited April 2007
    Wanda:

    When my liver enzymes were thru the roof after chemo, my oncologist in Hamilton ordered an ultrasound of my liver to make sure there was no mets... there wasn't any.

    Is this something your doc would consider?

    I have my blood work done everytime I go for my check-up at Juravinski... every six months.

    I am surprised you don't...

    Wendy A
  • Carmelle
    Carmelle Member Posts: 388
    edited April 2007
    Wallan, who's your onc? Mine is Tozer and he does not order blood work. I'm happy as i hate bloodwork and there's always something whacky since chemo. Like liver or white blood cells or cholesterol...my new life as an ostritch is much happier.
    Michelle
  • Ontario
    Ontario Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2007
    Wendy,
    Had the liver scan done. No mets. I am due for another checkup at Juravinski in July. will see if he does more bloodowrk or anything then. My onc BTW is Dr. Ellis...The perpetually late Dr. Ellis. I swear that man runs on Aissie time
  • Pauline3837
    Pauline3837 Member Posts: 39
    edited April 2007
    Hi Newday,

    I'm from Windsor also. DX in 2003 at the age of 52...had lumpectomy, chemo and rads. My Mammo's are done yearly. I would double check with your oncologist or family doctor regarding your Mammogram schedule and possibly request that yearly mammo's are done.
  • BarbN
    BarbN Member Posts: 15
    edited May 2007
    Ontario, I too have the always 2 hours late doc .... how did you ever manage to get a liver scan? He tells me I'll be getting a mammogram yearly, a physical exam and that's it! What chemo did you have?


    Barb
  • Ontario
    Ontario Member Posts: 99
    edited May 2007
    Hi again Barb,
    Because my liver enzymes were so elevated they decided a scan was required. The only reason we knew they were elevated though is because my family doctor ran a complete blood workup at my annual physical which was shortly before my visit to the ever late oncologist. As for chemo I had 4 rounds of AC. He wanted me to do 4 rounds of Taxol too but since I was node negative I opted out of that one. I see him again in August
  • 2up
    2up Member Posts: 1,358
    edited May 2007
    every 6 month ultrasounds here ........... no mammo's d/t PS preference after recon. since it was utz that picked up the tumour, i'm ok with it.

    i'm from windsor also ........... no blood work here until bone mets got picked up on a scan .......... and the scan was only done because i'd had chronic rib pain for almost a year.

    i like living with my head in the sand also ......... almost kinda regret complaining about my ribs lol!

    surprisingly, i still trust my onc!
  • Whitewind
    Whitewind Member Posts: 14
    edited May 2007
    I know my MD did not think I needed ultra sound or mammograms at all but i instsited for the oncologist said for the first 5 years you are the most likely to get the breast cancer back. I insisted and she complied. I had another problem this year and the ultra sound did not pick it up and the mammogram did. Both do not see the same things. I just had it removed last week and I found out it was normal tissue. You never know and I think for the first 5 years you should get both tests on both breasts.
    I dont think it really matters if the doctor orders it any way. Good luck to you
  • bish
    bish Member Posts: 15
    edited May 2007
    I go to St. Mike's here in Toronto and I've been very happy with my care and follow-up. The plan is intensive for two years with tests every 3 mnths (US each time, alternating other tests - bone scan, chest xray, MRI, mammogram) expecting 1 mammogram and 2 MRI's each year. Then every 6 mths for a year, then once a year for two years. My onc does blood work if she is bothered about anything and/or if she hasn't seen any in a while.

    I'm very happy with the care. She's also a great person.

    Good luck to everyone!

    Cathy.

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