I am reading this part of the forums with great interest.
I am 44, I was diagnosed with Grade 3 BC in 2008 and had a WLE followed by chemo and rads.
My initial mammogram was clear and it was only the ultrasound that showed the lump.
All I have been offered for my first annual check up is a mammogram, which is clear. However I am so concerned that as the initial mammogram was clear and I did have BC, why should I be satisifed that the mammogram a year later would notice any lumps if there were there.
It seems that some people get ultrasounds and some get MRI’s in addition to the annual mammogram - why not me. I asked at my hospital and they said that all I get is a mammogram and an examination.
Very worried …
does anyone know why hospitals vary so much in the annual checkups??
I am also undergoing tests to see if I am a BRCA carrier,due to family history, so I really would expect that I should be offered a U/S or MRI.
thanks
Hi Tracey- I am wondering WHY you had ultrasound last year if the mammogram was clear? Did you have a lump or other symptoms?
Follow-ups and treatment plans do seem to vary so much: it is really difficult to know whether this is due to the differing practice of oncologists/cancer teams based on their reading of the research findings and their own experience - or what other factors come into play. (perish the thought that one of these could be saving money!?)
I had NO symptoms and NO palpable lump at all and was picked up just by routine mammo even though my cancer turned out to be stage 3 grade 3 (I had WLE and axillary clearance- I node affected- followed by chemo and rads.) I am due for my first post- treatment mammo in Nov. 18 months from the first and 10 months since I finished active treatment.
In Leicestershire the time between follow-ups and mammos is longer than those experienced by many of the people who have commented on the forums. I was not very happy with this and was told I could have another appointment between the yearly ones if I really wanted it
(I chose to accept my onco’s explantion and in the end didn’t take up the offer.)
I think your anxiety is perfectly reasonable in view of your history and if you haven’t been given a ‘proper’ explanation- as opposed to a fob-off, I think you should definitely ask for an appointment with your oncologist
I had my surgery (WLE and full axillary clearance) in Jan and Feb 2008 followed by 25 sessions of radiotherapy. I was seen every 3 months until Jan 2009 when I had 1st mammogram. I am now having check-ups once every six months - I was seen in July 2009 for a general poke about and blood tests. My next mammogram/blood tests and physical examination are due in Jan 2010. I was told that patients normally see their surgeon after the mammogram and their oncologist at the next six-monthly check.
The only time I had an ultra-sound was on initial diagnosis. I have never had an MRI. I’m being treated by The Royal Marsden. I assumed that this regime was normal practice.
Tracy,
I think you are well within your rights to ask for an ultrasound (or MRI)as this was how your BC was discovered.
Ask why it is not being offered,and don’t give in until YOU are happy.
I had multifocal (2 lumps) BC July 2008 so was given an MRI to check for more lumps. A third was discovered on MRI meaning I needed mast and recon.At annual follow up I got mammos and ultrasound on my remaining breast only.I requested MRI as that was how my 3rd lump had been found.My surgeon thought it was over the top but agreed and low and behold another little blighter!May even have been missed at mastectomy!
I will now get annual MRIs but I would pay for them if required in the future for peace of mind.
Good luck,
Dot
xxx
Tracy, I too have a strong family history of bc and have had regular mammograms for several years. Last september my mammogram was clear but because I have dense tissue and cysts the radiologist routinely did u/s as well and that is how my bc showed up. I’ve had WLE, further excision, chemo and radiotherapy which finished last month. I saw my surgeon a few weeks ago and will have mammo in Nov before seeing him again in Dec. Like you I have been worrying that as I had no symptoms and mammogram was clear(with a 3cm tumour) that anything could go undetected again. My hope is that as the radiologist decided to do u/s last time she will again in Nov, if not I will ask for one. If all is ok in Dec I won’t see the surgeon again for a year which I also find scary. I think that if you are worried the best thing to do is to ask for a u/s and explain why.
Nicky
This was something I was thinking about. I had one lump show up on mamomgram but following mastectormy they found 4 others that had not shown up on mamo so I had a MRI to other breast to check - luckly it was clear this time but I was wondering if on future check ups I would be offered MRI as well as Mammograme
Thanks all, I think that I do need to force the issue next time I see the onc (nov). I did try to get them to give me an U/S this year, but they said that was what the physical examination was for to make sure.
I think I Will look into paying for a U/S or MRI if they will not allow me to have one.
I am awaiting genetic test results too, so I am obviously considered at a high risk.
I think it must be to do with cost savings at hospitals, but it is not fair.
Hi All, I have my first annual mammogram in 3 weeks time and I am also awaiting BRCA1/2 results. I had WLE on both sides, the first I found myself through self examination but the other side was not detected on mammogram only when I had ultrasound. I was told this was not picked up on mammogram because it was so small. I asked my BCN why only a mammogram,anually, and not MRI and was told because I had already had so much radiation to body the mammogram was the only option. I really do believe it is down to cost, being triple negative I feel I need every reassurance but this is not an option.