Hello Bobbi,
My oncologist does not do any tests once treatment is over and neither do most. Some will agree to them but most do not. Me and my onc. (who is also a breast cancer survivor) had a lengthy discussion about it. She explained how most tests aren't very conclusive. For example a pet/ct scan will not find a "clump of cancer cells" about 1/2 the size of your fingernail and there are many false positives. The stress of going through these tests and many false positives also needs to be weighed. It is very stressful to go through this. My onc. does routine blood work - looks at liver counts - something with the bone and basic routine blood work. She examines me thoroughly - asks me lots of questions and that's it.
Although, I'd love to know that "what ifs" associated with this disease and have concrete answers ALL OF THE TIME -  that just isn't the way it goes. As you said - what will be will be. My onc. also went on to explain that doing tests and not doing tests statistically shows no increase in survivorship. So.................I guess we all have to do what we're comfortable with. I for one, agree with my onc. HOWEVER wishes there were better ways to check for recurrence with flawless results BUT so far that just doesn't seem to be the case.
Living for today.............................
Mary Jo
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"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++ RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node No Vasucular Invasion 4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin 1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks 28 rads prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06
17 Years NED
<>< Romans 8:28
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