Help Regarding Follow Up After Chemotherapy and Radiation.

BlueSkies · New User Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 4

Hi. I'm hoping that someone can help me with some questions that have been bothering me.

My wife was diagnosed with Stage 3A breast cancer in December 2005. Lumpectomy was performed the same month, followed by chemotherapy, 4 x dose dense A/C and 4 X dose dense Taxol. She is currently undergoing radiation treatment which is being performed 5 X weekly, total of 6 weeks. She is also on Tamoxifen. My question involves follow up tests after both chemotherapy and radiation are done. I have repeatedly asked her oncologist about this and he has always replied that she only has to be physically checked every 3 months. I have read and heard that other women have had ct scans and checks done on the number of cancer cells remaining. I don't feel right that only physical checks will be done, as I feel that that would only detect a lump when the tumor has grown. And besides, how do you detect a tumor in the liver or lungs this way? Also, there is no yardstick against which to measure the effectiveness of the chemotherapy.

I would very much appreciate any advice and/or opinion regarding this matter. It has me worrying day and night.

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 817 Location: UK

There seems to me a grave danger that one can become obsessed by medical tests. There is strong evidence that cancer markers are not in fact particularly useful and certainly cannot indicate metastasis in itself. There has also been argument that overuse of scanners can itself lead to tumour development. So at the end of the day, so long as the oncologists keep an eye on the situation and so long as the patient is aware of his or her own body's behaviour I would be inclined to stop worrying, keep a check on diet and exercise levels, and get on with life. Prevention techniques will be a good way forward.

BlueSkies · New User Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 4

Vee Smith, thanks very much for your reply. My wife's oncologist and radiologist pretty much said the same thing. I would really like to get on with our lives as it was before cancer, but it seems that life has changed forever. Nevertheless, your post, together with speaking to my wife's radiologist earlier today have made me better realise that we have to move on, and not let cancer control us.

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 817 Location: UK

and may you both keep well

3pturk

Hello,
I can certainly understand yuor worrying and wondering about life after cancer. I too was diagnosed in 2005 (march) and also had lumpectomy followed by the same chemo and radiation treatments. My oncologists explained to me that all the extra test do not necessarily find anything any faster than no tests. And even if found the treatments would be the same.. They would not catch anything any sooner than if you keep all your regular checkups. It took me some time to allow this to sink in, but I do trust my drs.
I hope you can live each day knowing that tommorrow will come.
My prayers are with you and your wife during these trying times.
God bless and be well .......
Jill
_________________
Dx 3-17-05,breast cancer
40 yrs young, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, 2.5cm
ER+/PR+, Her-2/neu Negative, Grade and Stage 2
1 Sentinel node pos. 17 neg., chemo AC/Taxol ,
rad.tx

Cindy · Senior User Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 171

Blueskies, I had the same concern when my onc told me the same thing. I get only physicals...first every 3 months and now I'm on a 6 month schedule. No scans, no blood tests. My onc is one of the top in the country, so I know he is good, but I sure don't like it. I was told that the outcome would be no different if they waited until there were symptoms, before ordering test. I tend to disagree. I think it would be easier to get rid of one tumor found by a CT scan, than 20 which have grown and spread and now causing symptoms. I guess I will never understand. They say it is because of all of the radiation harm done to a patient with those routine scans. Some docs do, some docs don't. I've excepted it and so far doing well. I hope the same for your wife.
_________________
Where is the cure???
www.truefacesofbreastcancer.org
www.diepbreastreconstruction.org
www.mybreastcancerstore.com
www.habierose.com

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