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Just Diagnosed and So Confused; Feeling Lost

Breast Cancer | Last Active: Jul 12, 2019 | Replies (61)

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@cctoo

What are gene types? Should I get that test? Also is the home and body scan something everyone should get? I am not sure I have had best care, and my oncologist basically does nothing!! You are getting good care....best hope for the future!

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Replies to "What are gene types? Should I get that test? Also is the home and body scan..."

@cctoo Bone and body scans are imaging studies. At the medical facility I go to, these are standard-of-care studies looking for metastatic disease elsewhere in the body. The breast MRI is not, but I had requested this for peace of mind and the surgeon approved. Had I not, my case would have been quite different. My suggestion is before you see your oncologist next, have a list of questions you would like answered and take a family member or friend in with you for support. My first oncologist was quite good, but I didn't get much feedback and so switched to another who responded more to questions. In our facility, we can also e-mail the doctor; if that is an option, you can email your questions prior to meeting doctor so that you both have time to think about what is concerning you. In my case of invasive breast cancer and neuroendocrine differentiation, one of the three cancerous nodes had eroded into the lymphatic system. For that reason, I required chemotherapy as well as 30 treatments of radiation therapy. Because of the nature of that one particular node, onco score for me was a moot point. Had I had cancerous lymph nodes that had not eroded, the onco and mammaprint may have been a valid option. All the best to you.