I think "follow-up" means different things to different oncs and how much and what type of follow-up may also depend on the stage and status (ER/PR/HER) of cancer you had as well as the grade of the tumor(s), and perhaps other factors as well (e.g., BRCA results). I was stage 3 and saw the onc every 3 months for 3-4 years. However, part of the reason for that was because I had masses. So even though they were small and ended up being benign, the onc would ask me questions about how I was feeling and then determine of any tests were needed. He read all the xray, MRI, and scan reports on anything I had done (e.g., thyroid)carefully. He also did a CA test, so he could plot the numbers on a graph. That way if the numbers had been on a steady incline, he could investigate further. An increase in a CA number doesn't necessarily mean a recurrence, but it could mean that something is happening in the body and it would be useful to find out what. I changed oncs several times and my third onc (one year year after treatment) wanted to know if I had ever had any scans since treatment ended. When I said no, he ordered several (chest, pelvic, and abdominal). He also ordered a bone density test, and I think, a bone scan. Because I had had masses after treatment, I asked for a PET scan, and he agreed and the insurance DID pay for it. After my third year out of treatment, he ordered the chest/pelvic/ab CT scans again. He said it was his experience that if a woman has a recurrence, it often appears in the third year, and that if I had a recurrence that could have been detected earlier, it wasn't going to be on his watch. So that was just my experience. Again, all oncs are different, and they have different beliefs and experiences as do patients. But I would say if YOU feel you need more testing and there is a definitive reason for that testing, you may want to request that your onc does that testing or explains to you why it's not necessary. Someone else said to listen to your body, and I think that makes sense. If something doesn't seem right, ask, and keep asking until you get an answer. Hope that helps.
Hugs & prayers,
Mary
Hugs & prayers,
Mary
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