What type of yearly checkup do you have?

@marshgirl24

Good question. I am 6 years out from breast cancer. I have very dense breast and I discovered the lump 6 months after a yearly mammogram. By time I found, had already spread to lymph nodes. Had lumpectomy, chemo and radiation.

Treatment was at Mayo. At 5 years out, they transfer my ongoing screening from oncology to my primary (also at Mayo). At my last oncology appointment we discussed ongoing monitoring. I pushed for MRIs seeing mammogram had missed the cancer. His recommendation was one mammogram and one MRI a year, alternating between the two every 6 months. He documented in his clinical notes. I asked if mammograms were needed if do MRIs and he said they recommend both.

My primary has followed his recommendations.

I also have dense breasts, and I have had a primary breast cancer in each breast. It has been a year and a half since my second lumpectomy and radiation. I have an MRI and 6 months after I have a mammogram. This will continue until I reach my 5-year mark. At my last mammogram appointment, they added an ultrasound because I was having some lymphedema swelling in my breast. My first cancer also did not show up on a mammogram and I had read about dense breast issues so I requested an ultrasound which showed the malignancy. I was having a lot of pain and could actually feel a lump.

@katrina123 I’m glad you persevered after you felt something. Ultrasound did not find a “correlation” with the architectural distortion in my mammogram so I don’t have a lot of faith in it. I read about dense breasts for years and knew I had them. But I really never put myself in the picture!

I think mammograms do a better job of finding calcifications and MRI do a better job of finding and identifying lesions. If an early BC is mostly calcifications then a mammogram would see it, maybe a little more clearly than an MRI.
My DCIS had very few calcifications and with the mammogram they thought it might just be an unusual lymph node, partly because of location. An ultrasound indicated a biopsy. MRI identified the DCIS.

I had no symptoms of BC until annual mammo. Dense breasts/calcifications my entire life, now age 70. Distortions seen, F/U sonogram, F/U 4 biopsies, 2 each breast, breast MRI. Invasive tumor, in-situ(s) and ductal hyperplasia in both breasts. Bilateral mastectomy 3 months ago. Oncotype score 14, chemo not indicated, no radiation w/no breasts recommended. Out of 12 lymph nodes removed, 1 was positive. Surgery done at MSK in NY.
Seeing breast oncologist next month. Was told MSK does not do cancer markers in early stage BC. Any recommendations/tests I will need to make sure I don't have a re-occurrence? How will I know if the beast returns? On Anastrozole since June. Yes, some S/E's but trying to cope.
Despite the fact I have ischemic heart disease...but my cardiologist gave the OK to take it, even though a high risk for me - heart attack or stroke. Bone density 2 years ago normal. Next one in September...fearful of osteoporosis. It truly is a rock & a hard place. Anyone's thoughts on the best way for me to ask my MD - how will I be monitored?

Hi! @briarrose and all my brave comrades on this journey of fighting BC:

I am so sorry to learn that your cancer center does not perform cancer markers checking for their patients with early stage BC. However, you may express your concern for the recurrence issue of BC with your primary care physician, for early detection is the key to treat any cancers. My PCP sets up quarterly blood work for me to check various tumour markers and carcinoembryonic antigens in my blood, such as: CA 15-3, CA 19-9, etc., based on my overall health concern. Due to the fact that I declined the radiation treatment for fear of its potential long term effect at my old age, I dared not to ask my team of oncologists for any extra blood work. Thankfully, my surgeon oncologist schedules semi-annual breast MRI alternating with Mammogram plus Ultrasound imaging scans to make sure that there's no recurrence of BC.

Wishing everyone a better journey ahead with peace, health, and love!

@briarrose
At your next appointment, ask your provider if they will be providing a breast cancer survivorship care plan. It is a document summarizing your cancer treatment and outlining recommendations for follow-up care. Some locations have Survivorship clinics or providers that specialize in follow up care.

For more information on Survivorship Care Plan,
https://www.breastcancer.org/managing-life/cancer-survivorship/survivorship-care-plan
Mayo also has a podcast about What is a Survivorship Clinic. It is few years old, but should still be helpful.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/podcasts/newsfeed-post/what-is-a-cancer-survivorship-clinic/

Mine was discovered routine Mamogram & Sonogram confirmed it 1.2cm very small amazing it was detected June 11 had lumpectomy July 29.

I had to have a sonogram to confirm cancer.

I’m at MD but had 7mm IDC at 5 o’clock on left breast and 4cm DCIS. Lumpectomy and radiation- lymph node clear. I get a year diagnostic mammogram and sonogram. If necessary they will do an MRI . And physical exam every 6 months.

I do a mammo yearly and an MRI yearly, alternated so one every six months, plus a CT around the time of the mammo, and blood work for tumor makers varying from 3 mo to 6 mos apart. They will also sometimes do an ultrasound after the mammo.