DEXA Scan and Radiotherapy planning meeting. Which comes first?

Hi, I am not 100% sure, but I think that the Dexa scan and radiotherapy are unrelated, so it does not matter.

My understanding is that the Dexa scan gives a baseline of bone density before hormone treatment, such as Letrozole, as this medication can impact bone strength. They then repeat the scan to see if there had been any impact to bones.

On the other hand, radiotherapy does not impact the bones.

Hope this helps. But you can ask you medical team for clarity.

Hi

Its as Irishgirl16 says…..the RT planning and dexa scan are un related.The dexa scan is to get a baseline bone density before you start hormone treatment.I think it gets repeated in 2 or 3 years time .

Thank you for your response.  I would like to contact the hospital but I do not have a number (withheld) and so I tried the general switchboard who put me through to the wrong department.  So I phoned back and was supposed to be being put onto the correct department but the phone just rang and was not answered.  I will keep trying.  The person who booked the bone scan said that it has always to be done first.  Hence the confusion.  I will keep trying.

Thank you for your answer.  I am confused because the person who booked the bone scan was very clear that it had to be done first.  I will try to ask the hospital if I can ever get through to the correct person to ask.  My guess is that your response if correct but as the hospital is a long way from where I live I don't want to make a wasted journey that will take up most of the day.  

Hi Thirds, sorry you’re having this confusion, just thought I’d say what happened with me and how it was explained. I had my op first. Then at my oncology appointment I was referred for radiotherapy and given my first prescription for hormone therapy (Anastrozole). The oncologist requested a dexa scan for bone density baseline - he said that I could start the hormone zappers straight away as the bone thinning effects are slow. 
Timing wise, the dexa scan came right in the middle of my 3 weeks rads. I had the scan at a local hospital then drove on to the other hospital for that day’s rads session. 
I hope you can get official clarification to put your mind at rest. 
Good luck with it all, love and hugs, HFxx

Thank you HappyFeet1 for sharing your experience.  It sounds as though it will all be OK.  If I can I will check with the hospital, (if they ever answer the phone).  Thank goodness for this site and the kindness of other people who know what it is like. I can't wait for it to all be over.  It will be a year in April and added to all the Covid drama it has been a difficult time.  All the best to you and everyone else that has the misfortune to be in this club. We have to be strong but we will get there.  Sending you a hug.