How Often Mammograms/mris

MCS · 08-30-2006, 06:52 PM

Before I was dx, I would get my mammogram and ultrasound once a year.

How often do you ladies do this now, either mammos, digital mammos, ultrasound or mris? Every three/ six months etc.

I was going to call my insurance and find out how many times a year it covers and which one or both mammos or mris? Is anyone familiar with this?

I'm so scared that something will not be detected? Aren't we all, right!

Thank you,

MCS ( maria)

Becky · 08-30-2006, 07:00 PM

I get a mammogram every 6 months (I still have both my breasts). Supposedly, this is the protocol for the first 5 yrs. My insurance pays and would pay if it were every month if that's what the doctor orders. If you call your plan up, they will be able to tell you.

For a breast MRI, I do need preauthorization whereas with mammos, I don't.

Kind regards

Becky

Sandy H · 08-30-2006, 07:56 PM

Having had a bil mastectomy because IBC is not usually detected on mammos this is no longer an issue with me. Before surgery I had them every 6 months because of dense tissue. The last time I was told to wait a year and I made it to 8 months and was diagnosed with IBC. I think it is what ever your doctor orders. hugs, Sandy

Bev · 08-31-2006, 08:18 PM

I'll be alternating between the two, MRI and mammo, every 6 months unless they discover something. So that is a mammo once a year and MRI once a year. They gave me a choice between alternating or doing both at once. BB

Chelee · 09-02-2006, 12:41 AM

I know I plan on calling my insurance company as I got notified by them that I was past due for my mammo. My last one was in Dec. 05. I thought I should of had another one by now especially since my bc DX.

My onc doc never mentions it. My surgeon just recently said to set-up a mammo for Dec. 06. That would be a full year since my DX. Seems I should have one at the 6 month point which I am past due like the insurance company said. I need to get a human on the phone and ask them?

In fact, I WANT a MRI of the other one to be on the safe side. Mammo's are good but they do miss things. I want peace of mind.

Chelee

tousled1 · 09-02-2006, 07:50 AM

I'm surprised that your insurance company called you about your mammogram being past due.

Since I've had a bi-lateral mastectomy I don't need mammos anymore, but I know that usual protocol for those who have breast cancer is an MRI every 6 months.

panicked911 · 09-03-2006, 03:38 PM

mamo (w/sonogram) once a year (december) and MRI w/contrast once a year in June- that is by law in New York for someone with is diagnoised with breast cancer for the first five years. Problem hereis that after 5 years you are deemed "cured" - however depending upon the individual situation the MRI/mamo/sonogram routine can be extended and coverd by insurance. My guess is that other states should be about the same.

hope this helps,
Susanne