The Meeting Place for Survivors: Re: Treatment Over, when do you have follow up scans?

Like you, I really thought I would have at least yearly PET scans. I was completely surprised that my Onc said that unless I had some type of symptom warranting a PET, insurance won't pay. PET scan run about $15,000! They will only show a spot that's at least 1 cm. I did have an MRI for persistent shoulder pain, but had to have PT before insurance would pay for the MRI!

Unfortunately no text exists that will find cancer. The first year or two of no recurrence is really a milestone.

You will be followed closely. They will check you carefully, and probably bloodwork for awhile. I finished treatment 5 years ago this month. My Onc said there wasn't any reason to continue with blood work. The do look for things in the beginning, but after awhile, if bloodwork appears to be unchanged, the Oncology profession agrees that it's not necessary.

Last year, my Onc said I could start visiting her once a year, but I still wanted to go every six months! It just makes me feel better to have someone other than myself poking around! My Rad Onc released me, so I don't see him any longer.

The reason that testing is not routinely done is truly because no test actually exists to show a recurrence. All we can do is live our lives and pray. Remember this, more people die of complications from diabetes than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Most breast cancer patients die from something completely unrelated to BC, and go on to live a good life.

HUGS, and try not to worry......easy to say, but it does get easier.