How long does one need to see the rads dr?

dmc_emmy
dmc_emmy Member Posts: 549
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I completed rads in Aug of 2006. My radiologist still wants to see me every year. Today, I asked the receptionist (probably a dumb choice) why I need to continue coming back. Her response,"You're never really cancer free and this is just part of your medical plan." Like I said, it was probably a stupid thing to ask the woman who just happened to answer the phone this AM. That put a momentary bummer into my day.

Now, I'll ask any of you, "Do you still she your rads dr? How long? Why?" Thanks.
dmc

Comments

  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    Hmmm Good question, I can
    Hmmm Good question, I can see for the first few months to make sure there isnt any bad lumping or scarring from the radiation....but after a year ? I'm sure somebody knows....
  • zahalene
    zahalene Member Posts: 670
    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?
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    dmc
    I finished my rads in December of 2007 - had a six month checkup in 2008, again in January 2009 and now am scheduled for what they told me would be my last in October of this year. They said as long as one of the docs keeps track of me, they will finish.
    And I am sure this, along with all other treatments, varies by doctor.
    Hope it helped

    =^..^=
  • jgridley
    jgridley Member Posts: 169
    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
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    I just graduated.................
    ..........five years after starting rads. I told them I hope that I never saw them again.LOL
    And they definately understood me.

    Jadie<3
  • ritazimm
    ritazimm Member Posts: 171
    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
  • mgm42
    mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
    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
  • Piggies
    Piggies Member Posts: 26
    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?
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    Probably different for each patient...
    Many individual factors determine each patient's follow up appointments after completion of treatment. Here's mine, after completion of all "invasive" treatment (lumpectomy, chemo, rads):

    Year #1: Saw all 3 onc doctors - BC surgeon, BC med onc & BC rad onc (worked as a team) - on a rotating basis, every month/4 weeks.

    Year #2: Same as above, except every month and a half/6 weeks.

    Year #3: Ditto, every two months/8 weeks.

    Year #4: Every three months/12 weeks. Then, rad onc was done. (In answer to your specific question - saw my BC rad onc for four years following completion of rads treatment.)

    Year #5: Surgeon & med onc - every four months/16 weeks. Surgeon done. (Saw surgeon for five years.)

    Year #6 (this year): Med onc only - every 6 months. As I will need to do for the rest of my life.

    All three doctors performed physical breast exams. Med onc goes a bit further, physically examining spine/lymph nodes and other organs - and, orders various tests on a regular basis.

    Also, very important to strictly adhere to annual ob/gyne regular physical exam and tests.

    Please note that my own risk of recurrence remains high - at 20% - which is why I was checked and "watched" so closely during the first five years.

    Hope this helps.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    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.
  • jk1952
    jk1952 Member Posts: 613

    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.

    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
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    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.
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    Marcia527 said:

    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.

    I've been seeing mine every
    I've been seeing mine every month now, and, I think it will be that way for awhile. Then, I think it will go to every 3 months for a year or so, then 6 months for a few years. I like having him keep an eye on me!
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    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
    Derbygirl Member Posts: 198
    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.
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    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
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    tasha_111 said:

    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

    I am still in rads, but, I
    I am still in rads, but, I see him every week, unless I have a problem. I see my oncologist once a month now.
  • ladydi1
    ladydi1 Member Posts: 120
    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
  • dmc_emmy
    dmc_emmy Member Posts: 549

    I am still in rads, but, I
    I am still in rads, but, I see him every week, unless I have a problem. I see my oncologist once a month now.

    Thanks for your posts
    I appreciate all your responses to my question about rads visits. I will ask my drs next month when I go in to see both my rads and onc drs. It's good to have your input, it gives me different perspectives and, perhaps, a different approach when I discuss matters with my drs. Thx.
    dmc