Mammo or MRI?

slanderson
slanderson Member Posts: 152
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Mammo or MRI?
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  • slanderson
    slanderson Member Posts: 152
    edited February 2008

    Hi everyone,

    I am about 2.5 years out from my diagnosis.  I am triple neg, had a 1.7cm tumor, node negative, did TAC x 6. and radiation.  My question is about follow up treatment.  Of course, we cannot have any hormonal treatment.  But as far as mammograms.  My doctor said do a yearly mammo and a yearly breast mri, but stagger them so that we are doing something every 6 months.  Make sense?  Made perfect sense to me, however, my insurance company said they will only pay for an mri once I get a negative mammo and negative ultrasound.  So the every 6 month idea is out the window.  Did anyone else get this suggestion for treatment, only to have the insurance say "NO"?

    Thanks, Shannon

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  • NarberthMom
    NarberthMom Member Posts: 615
    edited February 2008



    Shannon -- Find out how dense your breasts are. For very dense breasts, mammo's are not sensitive enough. You might be able to argue it that way. Also, document, document, document, everything you send to the insurance company. Get the names of the representatives you talk to. Keep asking to speak to the supervisor.



    Hugs,

    Hillary

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  • Sadie-Rose
    Sadie-Rose Member Posts: 222
    edited February 2008

    Hi Shannon,

    My follow up included MRIs, PET scans, mammo grams, CT scans and a scan called (Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI).  The BSGI seemed like a cross between and MRI and a mammo gram.  I had all of these tests rotated so that I was having something every three months for three years.  Now we are going to stretch the time in between the tests.

    I hope your insurance cooperates. 

    Sadie 

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  • Boo46
    Boo46 Member Posts: 539
    edited February 2008

    Shannon,

    I have a yearly mammo and yearly MRI 6 months apart. My origional bc did not show on the mammo so we justify it that way.

    Sue

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  • slanderson
    slanderson Member Posts: 152
    edited February 2008

    Thanks everyone!

    This is the first time my insurance has been uncooperative.  So I was taken aback.  I am going to press them on it, though.

    Thanks again

    Shannon

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  • cmb35
    cmb35 Member Posts: 1,106
    edited February 2008

    Shannon,

    I am almost triple neg (pos node though) and 3 years out from dx (May 2005.) I was treated at Dana Farber in Boston, and my follow-up is annual mamm only, unless I have symptoms. This is WAY less than many women I have seen on the boards, but there are some that also have this less than aggressive (imo) follow-up. I find it odd, as Dana Farber is definitely "the place" to be for cancer care in New England.

    I just found out I am pos for the BRCA-2 mutation. Due to that, my follow-up is now mamm and MRI annually (staggered so I'm having something every 6 months) if I choose that route. My other option is a double mast (I had lump and rads.) I have been told that there should be no problem with my ins due to BRCA status. I have also been told horror stories about ins denying coverage to women based on BRCA status. I am just waiting with fingers crossed, hoping I don't have to fight with ins cos during what is a pretty stressful time for me.

    Personally, I think that all bc survivors should be "allowed" to have an MRI and mamm annually, at a minimum. It is sickening to me that these decisions are made due to cost and percentages. I guess that is just the way the ins world works. I do know of women who have the follow-up your onc recommended, and to my knowledge, they are not BRCA positive. I wish you luck in getting what you need from your ins co, without any hassles.

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