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Your experience regarding PET scans

Giovanna_BCNA's avatar
Giovanna_BCNA
Member
7 years ago
Hello everyone

Breast Cancer Network Australia has the opportunity to provide some information towards a new medicare rebate for PET scans (currently there is no rebate).  We are looking for anyone within our online community who would like to provide a quote about their experience of having a PET scan, which we can include in our submission.  If you are interested in providing a quote please email the policy team at  policy@bcna.org.au

Thanks Giovanna
Published 7 years ago
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pet-scans

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  • wendy55's avatar
    wendy55
    Member
    7 years ago
    Hi @Giovanna_BCNA, I have had a whole of body bone scan at no cost to me,all other scans etc no cost, I did speak with a health professional re a pet scan versus a whole of body bone scan I was told that they are the same but a pet scan is the very expensive option - each scan I always have the contrast injection - the one that makes you feel the need to pee!!!
    So perhaps you could or someone could tell me the difference between a pet scan and a whole of body bone scan, 
    thanks
    wendy55
  • Giovanna_BCNA's avatar
    Giovanna_BCNA
    Member
    7 years ago
    Hello @Sister,
    No problems, the procedure you are referring to is the Sentinel node biopsy and injection pre surgery.  Prior to a PET scan, you have an injection of a small amount of a ‘positron-emitting’ radioactive material (called a radiopharmaceutical), images are then taken of the body using the PET scanner.
  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    7 years ago
    I had 2 CT's and a bone scan and didn't have to pay anything at all.
  • Sister's avatar
    Sister
    Member
    7 years ago
    @Giovanna_BCNA I can't comment on cost as I don't know if I've ever had one and if I have it was covered but I'm curious.  At the risk of sounding a dill, is it a PET scan that is done when they put the radioactive blue dye in before surgery?  
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