Follow-up diagnostic tests for potential mets???

[Joanne S]

I am very thankfull and pray for my cyber-HER2-Family.

I had my last Herceptin (1 year) yesterday. (Yeah!---but some mixed feelings, you know. )

I spoke with my oncologist who informed me that she does not do any follow-up diagnostic tests such as CT Scan, MRI, etc. to check for possible recurrence once chemo treatment is completed---only follow-up office visits with her.

As you probably already know, I am stage III with 6 of 16 positive lymph nodes. Oncologist explained that if I get symptoms in the future; she would then prescribe diagnostic tests to check for for possibility of recurrence.

I absolutely love my oncologist and had no concerns up to this point. I don't agree with her follow-up method. I feel I should be able to get diagnostic follow-up tests at least once or twice a year. She believes that it doesn't make any difference if the mets is found early or later with obvious symptons. I don't agree. I believe if it is caught earlier, treatment can be given to potentionially stop further cancer spread.

I did manage to talk her into giving me a prescription this one time for a CT Scan (chest, abdomen and pelvis) and MRI (brain and neck---I have a pinched nerve in my neck). I plan to schedule these in January.

How does this method of follow-up compare with your experience after finishing Herceptin?

Thanks for you input
Happy Thanksgiving !
Jo
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