new question : testing for cancer?

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sk23new
sk23new Member Posts: 15
in Breast Cancer #1

I have been told by my Onc that there are no tests for determining if the cancer is still inside me. He does not even recommend the Cat scan - tho my surgeons do @ the year mark - to compare to my earlier one.

 But i have seen people talking about "tumor marker" testing - why would i not have that? and several people have had Pet scans.My surgeon had said that they only send them chasing after images that may have been in your body for years...

please tell me more about any testing you've had done to detemine if your "cancer free" - I just can't believe there's not one.

thanks!!! ~~~Sue

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  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #2
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    I have never had many of the

    I have never had many of the tests that some have - my Drs never thought they were called for for me.  In the 17 days between DX and first TX, I had a CAT, an MRI, a Bone Scan and a PET.  Also a biopsy for an area along my jaw for an area that 'lit up' on the PET (nothing there).   In the 4 1/2 yrs since DX, I have had some scans but each was for a specific reason.  My Rads Dr wanted a new CAT before I started Rads so on the day of my last Taxol I had a new CAT.  The next scan was a head MRI because of horrendous, rapid onset pain around and behind my rt. eye - nothing showed up and 2 weeks of steriods handled it.  Next came a new Bone Scan because of more back pain - was just the arthritis I've had for many yrs getting worse.  Then came an abdominal Scan for some minor persisting issues - again 'clean'.  1 1/2 week ago I had a new Bone Scan again for more back pain and again just more degeneration due to the arthritis.

    Your Profile says nothing about you DX, TX or where you are on the journey.  I'm NED and IBC, Stage IIIc.  NED (No Evidence of Disease) is the best we can get

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan

  • dthompson
    dthompson Member Posts: 149
    #3
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    Hi Sue,
    I know how you feel

    Hi Sue,

    I know how you feel about the scans to see if anything is left. I felt the same way and asked both of my wifes Oncs about doing a PET scan after she finished chemo/rads and surgery to see"if we got it all". I was told "we don't do those because some insurances won't cover it" so we took his word for it. Not a year later my wife is stage 4 (was stage 2 originally) because they said obviously the chemo and surgery didn't get all of the cancer.  I am furious because we had already been pre-approved for a PET scan right after she finished all of her treatment. Only no one told us this or we would have demanded a PET to ensure they got everything on the first round.  If I were you  I would demand they do a PET and have them submit for insurance approval. They can find a reason to order one if it gives you peice of mind. I don't know if your insurance will cover it or not but it is worth a try. God Bless

     

    Dennis

  • sk23new
    sk23new Member Posts: 15
    #4
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    dthompson said:

    Hi Sue,
    I know how you feel

    Hi Sue,

    I know how you feel about the scans to see if anything is left. I felt the same way and asked both of my wifes Oncs about doing a PET scan after she finished chemo/rads and surgery to see"if we got it all". I was told "we don't do those because some insurances won't cover it" so we took his word for it. Not a year later my wife is stage 4 (was stage 2 originally) because they said obviously the chemo and surgery didn't get all of the cancer.  I am furious because we had already been pre-approved for a PET scan right after she finished all of her treatment. Only no one told us this or we would have demanded a PET to ensure they got everything on the first round.  If I were you  I would demand they do a PET and have them submit for insurance approval. They can find a reason to order one if it gives you peice of mind. I don't know if your insurance will cover it or not but it is worth a try. God Bless

     

    Dennis

    testing

    that is very scary to hear!! where/how did they find the new cancer? They told me I would get a new CT scan @ a year - after i am done with all treatment - but the PET scan seems more thorough. I will definitely be asking about this next appt.

    I would be devastated to go through all of this only to find the cancer back & stronger - my prayers go out to you and your wife!

    ~~Sue

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