How long does one need to see the rads dr?

long, long, ago...
when I had rads, I saw the rads dr only 2-3 times after rads were done to make sure that my skin was healing well from the 'sunburn'. But I was followed very closely (every 3 mos...then 6 mos...etc) by my onco for years and years. Things may have changed (this was back in '86-'90) since then. Talk to your rads dr and your onco (if you had chemo) and I bet they will work with you so you can get back to moving on after treatment ends.
By the way, that receptionist was WAAAY out of line. How does she know who still has cancer and who doesn't?

Rads Visits
According to my Rads oncologist and Med Oncologist, I will be a patient the rest of my life. my Meds probably the most as I give four vials of blood every three months. That is do to me participating in the clinical study.

Interesting response from the receptionist as I was told that they got all my cancer in the second srurgery...I think I will ask oncologist....

Julie

Hi dmc
I recently asked my rad onc what my treatment plan is for the future (had my final radiation treatment in July 2008). He said that he wants to see me every 6 months for at least 2 years and that I should also be seeing my med onc every 6 months so that I am being checked for recurrence about every 3 months. My hubby (and my sister who also had bc) don't understand why I would continue to see the rad onc, but since my med onc never even looks at my breast, I am glad that my rad onc is careful enough to check me on a regular basis. At one point, he did say that I could discontinue coming to see him if I wanted to but that he recommended the extra checks. If I don't become less paranoid about recurrence in the next year, I may continue longer than two years with him too.

Good luck. Just do what is comfortable for you!!
God bless,
Rita

I was wondering the same thing!
I finished radiation in October 2008. I had a lumpectomy in July 2008 for Stage 1 breast cancer and did not need chemotherapy. I've seen the radiation oncologist several times since I completed treatment. My last appointment was in April 2009 and my next is in November 2009. I was told that I would need to be checked by the radiation oncologist at least twice a year for a couple of years. It almost seems like a waste of time to go there since I see my surgical oncologist, medical oncologist and gynecologist for follow-ups.

Anyone else with any thoughts?

Can't totally
remember,but I saw my radiation onc pretty often my first year,then like every three months,then I'll see him one more time before this year is up and then that's it. My medical onc I saw quite often that first year,then lately it's been about 3 times a year probably for at least another year or so. I did hear another patient of his say that after 5 years,it's once a year. I'll have to ask him-I never have yet.
I saw my surgeon quite often that first year and the years after that it has tapered way down.

I stopped seeing my surgeon
I stopped seeing my surgeon for exams when he retired about a year after treatment. I didn't want to continue with his replacement. I did see my oncologist regularly until we moved in 2008 which makes it about 4 years after treatment or almost 5 after diagnosis. I stopped the rads doc after one check-up after treatment ended. He wasn't watching during treatment then he didn't need to after everything was over. So mainly I just saw the oncologist. No one called and insisted I continue with the other doctors. It was my choice.

jk1952 said:

Several Years but...

I need to preface this by saying that I loved my Radiation Oncologist and her staff; they did a wonderful job with my treatment.

I don't remember the frequency of my visits to the Radiation Oncologist the first couple years, but I did start going once a year after a few years. This was in addition to the surgeon who was ordering tests and following me for additional breast issues, my oncologist who was my primary 'cancer' doctor (checking for any other potential cancer problems), and my gynecologist.

After about four years, I was going annually, and for either three or four years, I was greeted each visit by "did someone tell you that the doctor isn't in and you'll be seeing the PA or another doctor (that they had pulled out of retirement to see patients that day)"? Since I was being seen by several other doctors, and having no problems related to the radiation, I finally asked "seeing that I haven't seen the doctor in four years, is it really necessary that I continue to come here?" That was my last visit.

Sometimes doctors are on autopilot and don't consider the other care that you are receiving. If you start to feel that way, it's always appropriate to ask the doctor why and if it's necessary.

Joyce

I know that the frequency
I know that the frequency and who we see for follow up varies from center to center and from hospital to hospital. When I had uterine cancer I was given the option of seeing the rad doctor and the gyn onc. surgeon (actually the nurse practioner) every three months alternating between them or going just to the gyn. onc. I choice going to the gyn. onc. If there were radiation issues they would refer me to the radiation oncology. I went every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for 3 years and then yearly. With the bladder cancer, I went every 6 months for 2 years and now yearly (but I sometimes stretch it to 18 months). Skin cancer is yearly with dermatologist. And with the breast cancer, I again had a choice to of splitting between rad and onc. and I choice onc. I will go every 3 months (tomorrow is my 1st) for 18 months, then 6 months for 3 1/2 years, then yearly. For me, I prefer dealing with one doctor per cancer. And I love the nurse practioner I see for the uterine check ups. She takes time for the visit and we talk about all my life issues and she refers me for whatever we see as needing referral. She is the reason my bladder cancer was caught so early. There was debate about needing to do an IVP at that stage and she fought for it. It showed the mass and then I was scheduled immediately for cystocopy to further evaluate. It was small and removed at that time. Many different ways work on your follow up and who you see and how often. The important thing is staying up with the visits and bringing up any issues that you see, even if they seem trivial. Being your own best advocate is a constant in all aspects of our treatment.
Stef

Derbygirl said:

It's interesting to see the
It's interesting to see the different post-treatment care following b.c. I'm under the care of my Medical Onc since the end of treatment in December 2008. I had only one visit with the Surgeon (one week postop) and Radiologist (two months post-radiation). I see my Oncologist every 3 months for 2-3 years and then twice a year for a couple of years. He does breast exams on each visit as well as exam of lymph nodes, liver, gall bladder, bones and back bone (due to taking AIs) and he has ordered lab every 3 months (due to chemo). Hope this helps.

Seeing Docs
I met with my Rads Onco at my last chemo appointment and he explained everything. I saw him twice during rads treatment and never again. I have follow ups with my Oncologist (Dr. Charisma-Bypass) and My Surgeon every 6 months.
Hope this helps Hugs Jxxxxx

mgm42 said:

I'm so glad you asked the question...
I 've been wondering, too. I see all three of my oncs, medical, surgical and rads. I'm getting a bit tired of all three of them poking and prodding. I finished all treatment June 26, 2008. I'll be watching this board to see all of the answers. And, asking the receptionist was NOT a dumb thing to do. They know more about that kind of stuff than any else in those offices. Hugs, Marilynn

Rad Onc after Rads end
Hi Marilyn:
I finished radiation (33 treatments) in Oct. 2008, saw my radiologist the end of 2008 and he said that was it for him. I do see my medical oncologist every 3 mos. It seems each Radiation oncologist is different which is really confusing?!
Hugs,
Ladydi1