Body and bone scans
hi, i'm 46 and was diagnosed with in-situ and invasive lobular cancer in my right breast in november (multi-centric and multi-focal, grade 3, ki67 23%, er/pr+ / her2-). i've had neo-adjuvant chemo, a ...
Forum Discussion
I am mystified by the variety of attitudes there are to MRIs etc, for checking for the presence of a cancer recurrence. Some doctors seem to have no issue with signing off on them whereas others are highly resistant.
My BS said my cancer can reoccur locally, in my skin, my armpit, my scars, in the fold of flesh beneath my foobs and in my chest wall. How will he monitor? By regular check-ups, visual and manual examination. But you can't see or feel tiny cancers, nor ones in the chest wall. My original tumour was so deep no one could feel it. Would it not be simpler and safer to have an annual MRI scan? Is it a cost issue? Machine availability?
I understand that MRIs pick up many 'things' that can lead to tremendous anxiety, that they can send you deep down rabbit holes of investigation. However if you've already had cancer, your anxiety is pretty bloody high anyway. Why do some doctors understand and accommodate this while others discourage or refuse?
It all seems very odd to me.
My BS said my cancer can reoccur locally, in my skin, my armpit, my scars, in the fold of flesh beneath my foobs and in my chest wall. How will he monitor? By regular check-ups, visual and manual examination. But you can't see or feel tiny cancers, nor ones in the chest wall. My original tumour was so deep no one could feel it. Would it not be simpler and safer to have an annual MRI scan? Is it a cost issue? Machine availability?
I understand that MRIs pick up many 'things' that can lead to tremendous anxiety, that they can send you deep down rabbit holes of investigation. However if you've already had cancer, your anxiety is pretty bloody high anyway. Why do some doctors understand and accommodate this while others discourage or refuse?
It all seems very odd to me.