HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - are there women having a new cancer in the other breast after mastectomy?

Becky · 09-22-2008, 05:58 PM

Dear Ann

Another option that I will be employing in January (as I got my digital mammo in July - which was fine but I feel insecure not being checked more often due to dense breast tissue and the unradiated dcis) is the Gammogram - aka bsgi (breast specific gamma imaging).

I got my prescription for it from my onc last week (script is good 6 months) and plan on getting it the day after New Year's day. If you go on the Dilon site (www.dilon.com) and call them, they will tell you where there are machines and then you can call the hospital for info. I need a prescription but no precertification. This is the same as the molecular imaging tests that were reported as great via ASCO Breast just a few weeks ago. Also, it is less than 1/2 the cost of MRI and fewer false positives (a problem with MRI).

I believe that contralateral recurrence is low but it can happen. More likely is a brand new bc on the other side. As you know, I was simultaneously diagnosed with invasive cancer on the right and a tiny dcis on the left. They were independent events and had different pathologies.

I would get it checked out because you will only think about it for 6 months and if it is something, it will be super early and more easy to deal with.

09-22-2008, 05:58 PM	#3
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Dear Ann Another option that I will be employing in January (as I got my digital mammo in July - which was fine but I feel insecure not being checked more often due to dense breast tissue and the unradiated dcis) is the Gammogram - aka bsgi (breast specific gamma imaging). I got my prescription for it from my onc last week (script is good 6 months) and plan on getting it the day after New Year's day. If you go on the Dilon site (www.dilon.com) and call them, they will tell you where there are machines and then you can call the hospital for info. I need a prescription but no precertification. This is the same as the molecular imaging tests that were reported as great via ASCO Breast just a few weeks ago. Also, it is less than 1/2 the cost of MRI and fewer false positives (a problem with MRI). I believe that contralateral recurrence is low but it can happen. More likely is a brand new bc on the other side. As you know, I was simultaneously diagnosed with invasive cancer on the right and a tiny dcis on the left. They were independent events and had different pathologies. I would get it checked out because you will only think about it for 6 months and if it is something, it will be super early and more easy to deal with. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"