Re: Screening
The other plus involved for using the blood testing over the mammogram is that IT does offer some ability to detect metastasis, whereas the mammogram is only an indicator for recurrence in the breasts.
If repeated blood testing comes back abnormal, then one's provider could choose to do a combination mammogram/ultrasound, followed by MRI or bone scan or PET scan if necessary, and it might provide much earlier detection of mets than currently is available.
So, it depends on what the comparison value is for the actual success/failure rate for detection for the whole body is based on the blood testing vs what the comparison value is for the actual success/failure rate for detection for recurrence in the breasts alone.
I've never seen any reports for that comparison, but would like to.
My PCP has done the markers every year for me in addition to a mammogram.
A.A.
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Dx 2002 age 51
bc for granny, aunt, cousin, sister, mother.
ER+/PR+/HER2+++, grade 3
IDC 1.9 cm, some DCIS, Stage 1, Grade 3
Lumpectomy, CAFx6 (no blood boosters), IMRT rads, 1 3/4 yr tamoxifen
Rads necrosis
BRCA 1 & 2 negative
Trials: Early detection OVCA; 2004 low-dose testosterone for bc survivors
Diet: Primarily vegetarian organic; metformin (no diabetes), vitamin D3
Exercise: 7 days a week, 1 hr/day
No trastuzumab, no taxane, no AI
NED
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