What type of yearly checkup do you have?

The Siteman Cancer Center in St Louis recommends a check up every 6 months for ILC and they alternate a diagnostic mammogram one time and an MRI the next time. I think this plan is the best for catching anything new.

@tanzdame
These posts have been helpful to me. I had ilc 18 months ago followed by a lumpectomy and radiation. I declined an aromatase inhibitor as I was worried about the side effects, plus I have osteopenia. I now feel adrift with no f/u with an oncologist, and my next wellness check with pcp isn’t until June. I haven’t seen anyone since April. It’s very difficult to see a doctor here anyway. Thank you for the posts to help me realize I should be getting some kind of follow up.

@tanzdame for what it's worth, I am 72 & have osteoporosis & following lumpectomy & 5 days of radiation, will be starting soon with half dose of Tamoxifen (10 mg) which will protect my bones & hopefully have fewer side effects, fingers crossed!

@katrina123
I know they say cancer isn't painful but, when since I have heterogenous dense breast is that really a truth? How do they know cancer isn't painful?

@kaykerz Has anyone found a ten minute MRI in the southeast? They exist and to my surprise, I kind of freaked out during my last Breast MRI. So noisy and uncomfortable on my stomach. You know, that angle. I had some trouble breathing. But I"ve read that some hospitals have a ten minute breast MRI and I would like to locate one. Thank you!

I am a male breast cancer survivor and go to Mayo for bi-annual follow-ups.
At Mayo, my doctor performs a manual check, as I have less tissue and cannot do a mammogram. If a lump is detected, I would get an ultrasound.
What I find interesting, other providers closer to home only suggest a mammogram, vs a manual check.
Its a lengthy drive to Rochester, MN but feel safer at Mayo vs other providers that lack data or procedures for men with breast cancer.

@tanzdame I had lumpectomy in July, followed with RAD 5 days i have not taken any Aromastase meds and I am scheduled for 6 mo Mamography Jan with surgeon follow up then June 6 mos later another full mammogram and ultrasound- maybe call your surgeon?

@brooklyn22
Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, my surgeon retired and had his own business. I called the office of my radiation oncologist and was told she only has annual checkups with her patients. My pcp is impossible to get an appointment with. I won’t see her till June. There is a dearth of doctors in our area. But being part of Mayo Connect has made me feel better and more informed.

@tanzdame :

I am so sorry that your surgeon and radiologist could/would no longer provide any professional service to you:( I feel your frustration, my friend...

Could you reach out to your PCP explaining your difficulties of finding adequate post cancer-treatment follow-up care via the patient's portal by any chance? For next June is quite a long time to wait in my view. PCPs can order imaging scans and blood works to be done for their patients, and refer them to respected surgeons, radiological oncologists, and any specialists as well. In my personal case, my PCP found that mass of BC during my annual physical exam right at her office and referred me to diagnostic Mammogram and Ultrasound. Due to the fact that I have category D of dense breast, my annual Mammogram that was done 9 months prior didn't show anything abnormal. So my PCP drew a picture that clearly identified where that mass was located in her referring document. I am very grateful to my caring PCP for her walking extra miles with me. In fact, the diagnostic Mammogram still showed nothing abnormal at that time, and the technician that performed the ultrasound told me that she couldn't see anything abnormal until she specifically focused on that exact spot that my PCP identified! The rest is history, as they say, and my PCP still does a manual check on me at my annual physical exam since...

My thoughts and prayers are with you, my friend; pray that you find professional physicians to take good care of you with wisdom, compassion and medical expertise.

Wishing you all better journey ahead with hope, peace of mind and love!

@lifetraveler
Thank you @lifetraveler for your recommendation. I will indeed reach out via the patient portal to my pcp. She did, in fact, send me for an mri originally because I have dense breasts and that’s how my cancer was found. I’ve had mammograms annually and they didn’t detect it. I appreciate your commiseration and I’ll light a fire in the portal and let you know the results.