She’s been amazing and gone through all the chemo, radiotherapy and surgery and was told to enjoy life and live healthily for the next few months.
She’s just around the corner from the dreaded follow up tests to see what’s happened since. The chemo was successful in shrinking the Timor and the prognosis looks good but I don’t think she’s out of the woods yet.
Unfortunately she’s based in Colombia (where she’s from) and whilst she has top notch healthcare, her Oncologists are offering different advice on what to do next.
Both want to do the usual mammogram and one also would like to do a CT Scan, I’m not sure if it’s just of the breast or the whole body but she’s not sure if she wants to do that or not for radiation effects, is this common without knowing if it may have spread? Last time it hadn’t which is positive.Â
Anyway, I’m keen to know what people have generally had for follow up testing and their personal recommendations as it’s hard to know sometimes when doctors have different advices for you!Â
I think the standard follow up checks are yearly mammogram followed by breast check with breast nurses and also a yearly oncology app to check bloods and to discuss any concerns. This is what I have received the past 3 years. My oncologist told me that you only get scans if there is a problem with bloods or you have lumps/pains that need checking out. This may be different for other hospitals and I’m sure you will get responses from others that may be different to mine.Â
I am not through my treatment yet for TNBC but I have had 2 CT scans and 3 MRIs. I am just finished chemo awaiting surgery. I asked my GP about the radiation risk on the second CT and he said it is nothing compared to what is can show and prevent. If your partner is offered it I would take it. With no follow up on medication on TNBC like hormonal cancers I think you want to keep as a lose an eye on any spread as possible. Likely the CT is for whole body and is to check there’s is no spread. I am sure all precautionary.Â
