When should a follow up mammogram take place after treatment by lumpectomy and radiotherapy?

Hi Dedalus

I was told it was 12 months post diagnosis, however this is just a guide and mine have varied and have tended to be nearer my surgery date, apart from last years which was not done due to Covid and was done 5 months late, which will move my last annual mammogram from September this year to Feb 2022.

best wishes

Jo 

Hi Dedalus 

Im in England and had mastectomy and chemo no radiotherapy but would presume guidelines be the same . It was 12 months after surgery for mammogram. Hope thus helps 

Hi Dedalus

I just logged on the ask exactly the same question. I too had lumpectomy and radiotherapy finishing treatment in February this year.

So looks like 12 months post surgery it is then.

Good luck with the rest if your recovery and fingers crossed for a positive outcome to your mammogram when the time comes.

Thank you for your info ladies. 

Debs x

Thanks, Margaret and Jo for your replies.  Due to the context of your responses, it seems I do not yet have a definitive answer.  The guidelines are vague, and it seems difficult to know what the norm is,

I am concerned not to be called too early because of ongoing healing which can make the mammogram more difficult to interpret, (as apparently, this constitutes the new baseline image going forward) yet not too late in case of a negative test.

Due to the above, I am reluctant to contact the breast clinic because I don't want to pre-empt matters, but then again I don't want to be taken too late.

It is 56.5 weeks since my initial mammogram, 52 weeks since diagnosis, 48.5 weeks since my surgery, and 37.5 weeks since the end of radiotherapy.

Debs, thanks for your really kind words.  Wishing you all the best also. 

Apart from trying to pin down a date, I must confess I am feeling a little more nervous as I am getting closer to this next mammogram.

I still welcome further replies in the context of lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy.

x

It varies.  I had diagnosis June 2015 but every year annual mammogram got later.  Last one was October /November 2020.  I was just about to ring to ask if I had been forgotten about when they rang with appointment for couple of days later.  

Hi Dedalus

I was diagnosed in June 2017.  I had my operation in July 2017 and finished radiotherapy in October 2017.  I've had 3 annual follow up mammograms and each one has been in June each year. (including June 2020 - in the midst of Covid and it was exactly the date of diagnosis!)

Best wishes, Lesley

Thanks, Carol and Lesley

There are obvious variations.  However, intuitively I think I will opt for the 12 months after diagnosis protocol you experienced Lesley.  I am going to add a further week because that was when I received my FISH results.  This would make it the 14th of, April 21.  I, therefore, feel I should be receiving my appointment letter now!  

It could be crucial, so I intend to phone the breast clinic next Monday if I have not received a letter by then.

Thanks again to all.

It depends how busy clinic is I think how on top of appointments they are .  Last year was first time they didn't write a month in advance with appointment.  They said due to COVID they could have less patients per day and were ringing with a few days notice to try to speed things up.  Advantage for me was it was my year 5 check up so back to 3 year now fo I got an extra 6 months all clear !!  I'm thinking if going privately to stay annual as nervous to wait 3 years .  

Hi,

Mine is 1 year and 5 days post surgery,going on Thursday.

      Yvie

Hope all going well

Thanks Yvie.

Post-surgery. would mean still 3 weeks to go