Forum Discussion

Lisa50's avatar
Lisa50
Member
9 years ago

PET Scan costs?

Hello everyone, its been a while. First...my update. I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma early December, had 2 wide local excisions (3 tumours, 22, 10 & 5mm) plus extensive atypia hyperplasia. Clear lymph nodes. I am partly through my radiation therapy & feeling ok so far. The CT and Ultrasounds/mammograms didnt really show the tumours as I have dense breasts. It was only the surgeries that found them.
I would like to have a PET scan to see what is really going on in both breasts. I have referral but found out it is not covered by any Medicare rebate and it will cost around $950 (apparently BC or prostate Ca is not covered?!) 
Has anyone else heard that? Anyone else had a PET scan for the same? Or is an MRI just as good at detection?
Thanks ladies...X :smiley:
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 years ago
    I had a breast MRI due to dense breast tissue pre surgery to check the other breast so they could decide if needed sentinal node in the other breast at time of bilateral surgery . It was fully funded by Medicare in a SA public hospital. The radiologist recommended it as tumor wasn't visible on mammogram.
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    9 years ago
    I paid for the first one I had. Then I discovered that it is possible to get a subsided one through Peter Mac. There was enough going on with my recurrence that they used some internal funding to get me into the machine as it wouldn't have happened otherwise. Evidently if there is a suspicion it might be in your brain they will do it.