Should I be worried

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Kat11
Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I read a lot of your posts regarding, Pet scans, MRI's. I have only had every 6 month's the mammy's. I see my surgeon this month after my 6 month mammy, should I be asking for a pet scan? After my DX I had the MRI and bone scan. Is a bone scan the same as a pet scan ?

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  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #2
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    bone scan is different than
    bone scan is different than PET. I have the same testing as you, except no mammos either. I dont think it is standard to do these tests unless symptomatic. Some docs just order them.
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #3
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    I have an annual mammogram,
    I have an annual mammogram, blood work and poke and feel every 6 mos. I've had a couple of bone scans but no PET. I pushed for an MRI at one point but it seems it's most effective on women with dense breast tissue. At least that's how I understand it. I'm 4 1/2yrs post dx...perhaps it's different elsewhere as I'm in Canada.
  • ladyg
    ladyg Member Posts: 1,577
    #4
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    I hope not.
    I have not even had a mammo yet. My drs. say it is not necessary until 1 yr. after dx and treatment so I have to wait until March! I did have a bone scan but only because I was having trouble with my shoulder on the same side and they wanted to be sure it was not in the bones - thank heavens it wasn't.

    Hugs,
    Georgia
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #5
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    A bone scan looks
    A bone scan looks specifically at your skeleton whereas a pet looks at bone and soft tissue. That is my understanding, anyway. I had a pet before chemo and after radiation. I've never had a bone scan. I had one MRI on my remaining breast before chemo. I asked about MRIs along with a mammo, which is recommended by some for breast cancer survivors. All of my doctors objected to the MRI because many false positives are seen. Which is not to say I agree with them, but since I can't get the breast MRIs, I've just let it go.

    A common approach after treatment ends is no scans unless you have symptoms. I do have an MRI scheduled this month to check on an existing pancreatic cyst. I doubt the MRI would have been ordered by my doctor or authorized by my insurance if the cyst were not being watched.

    It seems we are either worrying about test results on completed tests or wondering if more testing is needed. Not to mention, as new treatments come along, you wonder if they are better than the chemo regimen you had...

    That said, you can always quiz your doctor about tests. At least he/she will know you are questioning and will explain why this test or that has not been given to you. Sometimes, too, if you ask, a doctor will agree that a certain test is reasonable for you.

    I hope you are not too worried, Kathy. And ask your doctor if you are. Peace of mind is important.

    My best,
    Moopy


    PS. I love your new avatar. You look beautiful. So glad to see a photo of you!
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #6
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    Moopy23 said:

    A bone scan looks
    A bone scan looks specifically at your skeleton whereas a pet looks at bone and soft tissue. That is my understanding, anyway. I had a pet before chemo and after radiation. I've never had a bone scan. I had one MRI on my remaining breast before chemo. I asked about MRIs along with a mammo, which is recommended by some for breast cancer survivors. All of my doctors objected to the MRI because many false positives are seen. Which is not to say I agree with them, but since I can't get the breast MRIs, I've just let it go.

    A common approach after treatment ends is no scans unless you have symptoms. I do have an MRI scheduled this month to check on an existing pancreatic cyst. I doubt the MRI would have been ordered by my doctor or authorized by my insurance if the cyst were not being watched.

    It seems we are either worrying about test results on completed tests or wondering if more testing is needed. Not to mention, as new treatments come along, you wonder if they are better than the chemo regimen you had...

    That said, you can always quiz your doctor about tests. At least he/she will know you are questioning and will explain why this test or that has not been given to you. Sometimes, too, if you ask, a doctor will agree that a certain test is reasonable for you.

    I hope you are not too worried, Kathy. And ask your doctor if you are. Peace of mind is important.

    My best,
    Moopy


    PS. I love your new avatar. You look beautiful. So glad to see a photo of you!

    Moopy
    I get what your saying. No, I am not to worried. Just I do have my appointment this month and I did not know if it was something I should be asking about. Lord knows I think I asked about everything else. Just lately in the boards there has been several that have had pet scans and I never had one, sooo thought, should I ????? Not driving myself crazy over this. LOL So, Message me about you please.
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #7
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    Kat11 said:

    Moopy
    I get what your saying. No, I am not to worried. Just I do have my appointment this month and I did not know if it was something I should be asking about. Lord knows I think I asked about everything else. Just lately in the boards there has been several that have had pet scans and I never had one, sooo thought, should I ????? Not driving myself crazy over this. LOL So, Message me about you please.

    By all means...
    Please do ask. Totally reasonable to inquire. And I hope you get a satisfactory answer from your doctor.

    Some time ago - I questioned my own med onc about various tests I did not yet have (still haven't). His response/explanation was way too lengthy to summarize here. (And, always remember - we're all different, in many ways.) However, after he left the room - his nurse (whom I adore!) said something like this: "Don't worry about the tests NOT ordered. Worry if/when they are." Which was - still is - good enough for me.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #8
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    Kat11 said:

    Moopy
    I get what your saying. No, I am not to worried. Just I do have my appointment this month and I did not know if it was something I should be asking about. Lord knows I think I asked about everything else. Just lately in the boards there has been several that have had pet scans and I never had one, sooo thought, should I ????? Not driving myself crazy over this. LOL So, Message me about you please.

    I get mammo's and
    I get mammo's and ultrasounds both at my checkup. I have had a bone scan as I was having some pain in my back, but, I don't think they order that unless you do have some pain. I haven't had a PET scan. I had a MRI before my lumpectomy to see if there was anymore cancer in me, but, there wasn't. YEH!


    Good luck!
  • Boppy_of_6
    Boppy_of_6 Member Posts: 1,138
    #9
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    Christmas Girl said:

    By all means...
    Please do ask. Totally reasonable to inquire. And I hope you get a satisfactory answer from your doctor.

    Some time ago - I questioned my own med onc about various tests I did not yet have (still haven't). His response/explanation was way too lengthy to summarize here. (And, always remember - we're all different, in many ways.) However, after he left the room - his nurse (whom I adore!) said something like this: "Don't worry about the tests NOT ordered. Worry if/when they are." Which was - still is - good enough for me.

    Kind regards, Susan

    No PET here
    I ask mt Onc. about a PET he does not like them either. I had a breast MRI of both breast before lumpectomy nothing there but the small tumor we knew about. I had a couple of ultrasounds too. I will have a mammo in March which will be about 3 wks before the 1 yr. anniversary of my lump.I have seen my Onc. every 3 mos. since then. I trust him and feel like he is an excellent Dr. top of the field in my area.
    @ Susan I really like what your nurse said!! God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #10
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    Megan M said:

    I get mammo's and
    I get mammo's and ultrasounds both at my checkup. I have had a bone scan as I was having some pain in my back, but, I don't think they order that unless you do have some pain. I haven't had a PET scan. I had a MRI before my lumpectomy to see if there was anymore cancer in me, but, there wasn't. YEH!


    Good luck!

    I had Bc not detected on any
    I had Bc not detected on any mammograms. It was lobular and harder to find on mammo. I was told it was better picked up on MRI. I was diagnosed super early either. I feel with a history of BC, either you or close relative, one should have an MRI and mammo. each once a year. 6 months apart, or at least an MRI every couple of years or so with yearly mammo. It was really hard for me to accept getting another cancer when I had so many checkups and tests. I had always thought if I got it again it would be found early, no such luck. I also found it myself, so a good reason to be aware of your body
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #11
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    i am 3 yrs into this
    and never had PET....I had one MRI just prior to surgery, them mammo @ 3-6 mths and see 2 diff oncologist @ 3 mths (now got the ok for @4 mths)
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #12
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    disneyfan2008 said:

    i am 3 yrs into this
    and never had PET....I had one MRI just prior to surgery, them mammo @ 3-6 mths and see 2 diff oncologist @ 3 mths (now got the ok for @4 mths)

    I've wondered the same
    I've wondered the same thing. I had all of the tests pre chemo and rads, but only a bone scan to check for osteoporosis and an x ray on my shoulder cause it is painful when I reach for something, since I finished rads last year. I've had one mammo , I should probably be getting another soon....
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #13
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    dyaneb123 said:

    I've wondered the same
    I've wondered the same thing. I had all of the tests pre chemo and rads, but only a bone scan to check for osteoporosis and an x ray on my shoulder cause it is painful when I reach for something, since I finished rads last year. I've had one mammo , I should probably be getting another soon....

    Like I said I was just
    Like I said I was just wondering about all the different tests. I was told that I was just going to have ( after chemo & Rads ) Mammys every 6 months on lumpectomy side and yearly on both sides for first 2 years after surgery. Then I would go back to yearly only.Kinda scary for me because I always had my yearly mammys and when I was Dx they said I had the cancer for about a year so I had it and it was missed.
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #14
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    Kat11 said:

    Like I said I was just
    Like I said I was just wondering about all the different tests. I was told that I was just going to have ( after chemo & Rads ) Mammys every 6 months on lumpectomy side and yearly on both sides for first 2 years after surgery. Then I would go back to yearly only.Kinda scary for me because I always had my yearly mammys and when I was Dx they said I had the cancer for about a year so I had it and it was missed.

    If you do not have concerns and complains
    If you do not have complains and unusual pains you are fine with Mammo and ultrasound.
    Do not worry, however you can ask. Do not forget every test is radiation you do not want to expose yourself if you do not need it.
    Good luck
  • mollyz
    mollyz Member Posts: 756 Member
    #15
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    New Flower said:

    If you do not have concerns and complains
    If you do not have complains and unusual pains you are fine with Mammo and ultrasound.
    Do not worry, however you can ask. Do not forget every test is radiation you do not want to expose yourself if you do not need it.
    Good luck

    I had a pet/scan after i was
    I had a pet/scan after i was diagnosed( before mastectomy)to see if the cancer had spread and the chemo nurse told me after i finish chemo which is the end of January the onco Dr.was going to order another pet/scan to make sure theres no more cancer and then i was told i would have radiation.I guess i'll haave to wait and see.MollyZ
  • Annette 11
    Annette 11 Member Posts: 380
    #16
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    scan
    I finished chemo almost 4 weeks ago. I saw the onc. last week and she was so pleased with everything. She is very thorough and wants me to get a pet scan the end of Feb. just to make sure, so I suppose I will. I was hoping she would have said an MRI instead.
    Annette
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #17
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    New Flower said:

    If you do not have concerns and complains
    If you do not have complains and unusual pains you are fine with Mammo and ultrasound.
    Do not worry, however you can ask. Do not forget every test is radiation you do not want to expose yourself if you do not need it.
    Good luck

    I had PET Scan only once
    Being diagnosed with stage III I had PetScan and bone scan ( do not mistake with bone density) only once after diagnosis to rule out spread to other organs. I did not have it after finishing Chemo. Talk to your doc
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #18
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    Kat11 said:

    Like I said I was just
    Like I said I was just wondering about all the different tests. I was told that I was just going to have ( after chemo & Rads ) Mammys every 6 months on lumpectomy side and yearly on both sides for first 2 years after surgery. Then I would go back to yearly only.Kinda scary for me because I always had my yearly mammys and when I was Dx they said I had the cancer for about a year so I had it and it was missed.

    A mammogram and an
    A mammogram and an ultrasound both are for me every six months, unless something would appear before then. And, I think that will be for several years yet, at least 5. My rads oncologist also sees me every 4 months now, just to check on my skin and see how I am doing. I love that guy!!!

    Talk to your doctor Kat if you don't feel comfortable with his regime. Have him explain as to why he only doing certain tests.

    Good luck, Megan
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #19
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    My experience with tests is
    My experience with tests is similar to what has already been posted. It does make me feel a little "let loose" not to have tests like MRIs and PETscans actively seeking those nasty little cells. Since I had a bilateral mastectomy, I don't even have regular mammograms to keep me warm. It would be nice if there was an accurate blood test that could identify errant cells earlier than early! Just for peace of mind, I consider no news as good news. xoxoxo Lynn
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #20
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    lynn1950 said:

    My experience with tests is
    My experience with tests is similar to what has already been posted. It does make me feel a little "let loose" not to have tests like MRIs and PETscans actively seeking those nasty little cells. Since I had a bilateral mastectomy, I don't even have regular mammograms to keep me warm. It would be nice if there was an accurate blood test that could identify errant cells earlier than early! Just for peace of mind, I consider no news as good news. xoxoxo Lynn

    Hi Kat! I am sorry that you
    Hi Kat! I am sorry that you are worried and concerned. But, I am sure that your oncologist is doing the best for you! It does look like we all have different tests, but, that doesn't make it the right thing for you.

    I am suppose to have mammograms and ultrasounds every six months. My oncologist feels they go hand in hand, incase a mammo might miss something.

    I had my MRI also before my surgery for my lumpectomy to detect any more cancer that might be in me. I have also had a liver scan and a bone scan. The liver scan was a precaution and the bone scan was because I had some pain and they just wanted to be extra careful. The bone scan was painless and I got to keep my clothes on! My hubby even got to sit in the room with me and talk to me.

    I haven't had a PET scan and it hasn't even been discussed that I will unless something would happen.

    Praying you feel better about your treatment,

    Sue :)
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #21
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    Kat11 said:

    Like I said I was just
    Like I said I was just wondering about all the different tests. I was told that I was just going to have ( after chemo & Rads ) Mammys every 6 months on lumpectomy side and yearly on both sides for first 2 years after surgery. Then I would go back to yearly only.Kinda scary for me because I always had my yearly mammys and when I was Dx they said I had the cancer for about a year so I had it and it was missed.

    My oncologist never ordered
    My oncologist never ordered a PET scan for me Kat. What I do get are mammos and ultrasounds. I did get an MRI, like someone else posted, prior to my surgery. I think my oncologist said he would order another one for me, but, I can't remember the timetable on it.


    Hugs, Angie

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