All clear scan after breast cancer treatment finished

I have asked this a few times from various oncologists In my team. it is my understanding that if all the treatment you have had is to stop it returning, rather than trying to shrink a tumour, then there is nothing to scan for unless you have new symptoms eg new lump. they also say if they were to do a scan there is no good time to do it,  as it could be clear one day and not the next! made sense once explained. the main thing is report anything new x

No scan following treatment. I did have lots of scans prior to treatment though:

Ultrasound, mammogram, MRI, CT scan, heart scan

All those were used to diagnose extent of cancer.

I then had a further 2 MRIs during chemo, which showed the cancer shrinking

They got clear margins during lumpectomy, and I had 0 of 3 nodes positive.

For me, I didn't feel I needed any other scan to tell me I was cancer free as they had already done plenty. Any stray cells won't show up on a scan and I have to trust that the chemo and radiotherapy got everything.

I'm on hormone therapy to help prevent recurrence.

Is there something about your treatment that makes you not trust they got it all? Or is it for peace of mind?

You're 'in the system' now so any worries you have at all, and you'll be fast-tracked to get investigated. 

I have been back for two ultrasounds that I got very quickly as I was worried - both clear.

I totally understand where you’re coming from! I had lumpectomy and one of my three nodes came back positive. I didn’t have any scans then but I had chemo and now on radio for four weeks but they’ve said I won’t get a scan at the end of it! It’s easier said than done not worrying though! X

Hi. I did have a contrast dye CT scan after my chemotherapy and was told that it was because I had lymph nodes involved and my original scan had shown tumour over 5 cm. My understanding was there is specific criteria for different stages and I also think it depends on the oncology trust policies too. Hope that helps. 

My mum had a successful  lumpectomy  with clear margins and no lymph node involvement.  She had finished 12 weeks of chemotherapy  and has her kast of 5 days of radiotherapy  on Monday. She has recieved a letter on Friday asking her to get abdominal  scan in 2 weeks time,  we are a little confused as she has jo hew symptoms  and she newts with her oncologist  every four weeks, she net with her last week and nothing was mentioned  :s could any one help shed some light please