when did you 'break up' with your onco?

[vlcarr]

I had my yearly visit last December, 8 years out. When I went to make my next appt the girl told me I would be seeing a NP from now on. I was heartbroken. I think because my onc didn't tell me and you know she knew. I love my onc but I let it go. I still see the NP for my breast surgeon when I get my mammo on my one real breast so I see one of them every 6 months. I may still be seen by the surgeon due to my lymphedema who is primary on that. I find the annual gyn visit with a NP pretty useless but I still go.

[Catherine]

I am 11 years out and still see my oncologist once a year. The appointment gives me confidence and I consider it an insurance policy. They have not said anything like I need to stop coming. Who knows, that might happen next year! I am guessing each oncology office has a different policy.

[anna4969]

I am 7 years out and see my onc every 6 months. He has asked me during the past several appointments if I would like to move to annual appointments. We have a wonderful doctor/patient relationship and I gently remind him that my Mom had breast cancer, my Dad died of prostate cancer, and 7 out of 10 of my father's siblings died of colon, thyroid, lung cancers. That pretty much ends our conversation on that topic. I need the assurance, if it can be had. Interestingly so, I was fully genetically tested and all was clear, this is sneaky business. For me, my family history is too significant for me to be comfortable with an annual visit. He and my breast surgeon share my lymphedema care, so my breast surgeon is a annual visit. I am waiting though for our health insurance company to perhaps question the every 6 month visits, so far no issues.