Wish me luck...

jennytwist
jennytwist Member Posts: 896
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I see my oncologist today - my 8 week check since my last chemo. I'm hoping to talk him into a tumor marker test - he already said "no" to a cat/pet scan. Does anyone else have Kaiser insurance and have a hard time getting some of the tests that seem obvious to get?
Thanks!
-Jenny

Comments

  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #2
    I didn't have that insurance
    I didn't have that insurance but I didn't get a cat/pet scan after chemo either. Just blood tests. If I went in with a problem then they would schedule tests depending on what the problem was.
  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
    #3
    Marcia527 said:

    I didn't have that insurance
    I didn't have that insurance but I didn't get a cat/pet scan after chemo either. Just blood tests. If I went in with a problem then they would schedule tests depending on what the problem was.

    scans
    I've never had a pet scan. The only CT scan I've had is the one they did to "set up" the markers for radiation.

    I'm on herceptin so I've had a few echocardiograms ... but the rest has just been "routine" bone density (not bone scans) and my mammogram. Other than those ... it's just the blood tests.

    hugs.
    teena
  • patti anne
    patti anne Member Posts: 101
    #4
    scans
    I don't have Kaiser, but I didn't have any of those tests either. Just blood work on my follow-ups. I ended Chemo in May and radiation July 31st. Now on Tamoxifen.

    I think the tests seem obvious too. I'm going to ask at my next visit...again.

    Patti
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #5
    :-)
    Hi Jenny, it seems now a days the oncologists do not do a PET/CAT scan unless they feel there may be a problem. I find it frustrating as well, ten years ago when I was first dx they did them and a bone scan automatically once a year for the first 3 years. My onco has told me that the thinking on this has changed and the reason for that is that most cancers are found my the patient complaining rather than by annual PET scans. Anyway just a tid bit of info for you. I am wishing you luck and hope to hear how things went later.

    Take care,

    RE
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #6
    Jenny,
    I have been with
    Jenny,
    I have been with Kaiser for 35 years and I find their care to be among the very best.
    I think Kaiser does the tests that the doctors feel are necessary based on your diagnosis. My sister and I developed our cancers within months of each. Both of us go to the same Kaiser, different oncologist. She had a larger tumor with node involvement and was ER/PR Her Positive. She had chemo and herceptin, surgery, more chemo, radiation, will have herceptin weekly for a year, and is on arimidex. I had a lumpectomy, radiation and am on arimidex. She had CAT scans, Pet scans, MRI, bone scan, and bone density tests. I did not have CAT Scans, Pet Scans, MRI or bone scan. I did have a bone density test to set a baseline before beginning the arimidex. I am doing 3 month visits to my oncologist. My sister is doing that also. Neither of us are doing visits to the radiation oncologist but if any occurs that needs their input we will be referred to them. It may that your doctor feels these tests are needed for your stage of cancer. If things change and you have indicators they are needed they will do them. When I had my uterine cancer and started having blood in my urine they immediately set up an IVP and a CAT scan. Same with my developing abdominal pain. They set up a CAT Scan and ultrasound. Kaiser determines treatment based on the doctors recommendations so these are medically based decisions. If you read all the posts you will see that only a portion have had all these tests. Although our piece of mind might be satisfied by having them all done, they are not always warranted and they do subject our bodies to dyes, radiation, etc. that is possibly harmful in itself.
    I do not mean to diminish your concerns and I don't know what your stage, grade etc. is but that may be the reason for not doing these tests. Our treatments are all so varied. I have seen some with my same stats that had chemo. But if you are truly concerned about the tests, ask for a referral for a 2nd opinion. These are given at Kaiser and the 2nd doctor gives his opinion based on his own evaluation.
    Hope this helps and hope that it eases your mind to know that many have not had these tests and are doing fine.
    Prayers for you
    Stef

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