Questions about screening tests.

[Nocillo]

Hello ladies! I am getting conflicting recommendations between my oncologist and family doctor. My oncologist says I don’t really need a colonoscopy or mammogram and my family doctor says I do. What are you all hearing or doing? I wonder if my CT scans are better than a mammogram? So confusing and as you all well know, I’m pretty darn tired of “procedures”. Thanks for any insight.

[blms]

I honestly not sure why you would need a mammogram,

[Nocillo in reply to blms]

Me either, but my first oncologist who was practically a god and had practiced for 40 years said anytime you have a breast, you should get a mammogram. So I was getting them up until Covid. Even on the side where they took almost everything out. 🤷‍♀️

[blms in reply to Nocillo]

As you are MBC, and getting scans, that does not make sense to me. My radiation onco, a saint that retired,,ugh!, said there was no need even though some doctors want them. But, a bit more radiation--how much worse can that get!!!??

[Nocillo in reply to blms]

Exactly! Pretty soon the cancer won’t be the problem, I’ll be glowing from radiation!🤣

[blms in reply to Nocillo]

Yep!! Too funny but true, although that is probably a while past our expiration date!!

[Bettybuckets]

Re colonoscopy… when was the last time you had one? You only need one every 10 years… and your pet scans mayturn up trouble so maybe that is why oncologist is saying not needed. fsmily drs have check off sheets and they are doing what is on there… but now thst days are precious it is your call if you want to skip the prep and all that effort and so something g you love instead.

[Nocillo in reply to Bettybuckets]

I had been requested to follow up in 5 years. It’s been 7 now due to Covid. I would think the CT would show something if it was there. I wish the doctors would get on the same page. You’re right, I don’t really feel like taking the time for that prep.

[blms]

The colonoscopy is a different thing all together. I do think, for perfection, it is a good idea. Depending on your gastro docs opinion, there are different times to get it. If healthy, not sure we are!, every 10 years. With this going on most likely more often maybe every 3 to five years. Im not bothering but I have so much cancer in so many directions right now, what is the point.

[Nocillo in reply to blms]

Me too! Cancer in my entire skeleton and stomach. I told the doctor I’d think about the colonoscopy, but it’s pretty hard to get too interested in it.

[blms in reply to Nocillo]

Is the cancer in your omentim, and pushing on your stomach, etc?

[Nocillo in reply to blms]

It’s lobular and in the internal stomach lining.

[diamags]

Mine says tgat mammograms are not indicated once you are Metastatic

[debbiedo2063]

I had a mammogram last month as I only had one breast removed. I thought it was a bit pointless but when I rang my breast cancer nurse when I received the request she said it was a different type of scan and I should go every 3 years.( I Wish) So I went and it was clear but seemed a bit bizarre getting a letter to say they were delighted to tell me that there was no breast cancer in my breast after being diagnosed with MBC. I didn’t think it was worth a celebration for one clear breast . Weird experience.Debra xxx😍

[Contrarielle in reply to debbiedo2063]

Funny/ ironic!.

[Teddielottie in reply to debbiedo2063]

Morning! I am in the U.K. , 58, and all my treatment has been on the NHS . I have continued to have a mammogram on my left breast (I had a right mastectomy in late 2017) , annually for the last three years . My most recent one was this January and my breast care nurse reported back to me that there was no breast cancer in my left breast (no changes in 2020s and no malignancy seed, features of a reduction ... I had a reduction on the left side in 2018 whilst on Ibrance . ) I have ct scans every 6 months but was told that the mammogram is better for detecting changes in breast tissue . I have been ‘stable’ for over three years since starting Ibrance/Letrozole over four years ago and was told that if they found anything early in the left breast they could do a small operation . So I have continued with them !

I was invited for a routine first colonoscopy on NHS , which was at age 55 (England) at the time (3 years ago but the pandemic may have changed this with bowel screening test kits now being sent out? )

I went along and had it too ...not very pleasant , but for peace of mind I did it !

[Contrarielle]

I'm excused from mammograms and in this country you only get a colonoscopy if you a) have family history of bowel cancer in 1st degree relatives, 2) symptoms, 3) positive screening test or 4) pervious bowel cancer or high grade changes. So i suppose it depends on your risk factors.

[Hazelgreen]

My last mammogram was in 2005 when early breast cancer was detected. A mammogram would not have detected my MBC since that developed everywhere except in my breasts (only ever had lumpectomies in the one breast). I'm quite sure the reports from my various scans would note any breast or bowel masses since all sorts of "thickenings" are discussed as it is. If I was worried for some reason about something developing in those areas, I would ask my oncologist to mention this to the radiologist reading my scans to check it out.

Personally, I would really question the motivation (fees?) or reasoning of any professional suggesting other scanning procedures for a patient already scheduled for scans every three months or less.

[EZSZ]

Hello Nocillo, seeing varies doctors can be so confusing! I would listen to my oncologist, not FD. 1. Mammogram - when something appears suspicious on a Mammogram, CT is the next step, so, definitely more precise..

2. Colonoscopy - there's a simple stool test that you can fo instead; if there is no blood in your stool, you are fine.

My humble opinion is: listen only to your oncologist for anything that is cancer related. You are already being treated for cancer, and the purpose of the CT is to show pretty accurately if there is cancer activity antwhere.

Your family doctor should be the one telling you that anything cancer is, and should be, in the hands of your oncologist.

Do you trust your oncologist?

Remember, 100 doctors, 100 opinions, so unless you intend yo replace yours - trust him/her. Ask questions:, why yes, why not. What is the purpose of the mammogram? Would the results change my treatments? Ask your oncologist so you have a peace of mind.

I hate procedures too, everybody does.

I use Emla - anesthesia cream - so I don't feel the needle 🙂

You are being taken care of, Nocillo, take it easy.

Good luck, warm hugs

Dully

[AvidBooklover]

Mine said no to mammograms, but I get PET/CT every six months. They want me to get a colonoscopy...and I will get one sched, but not rushing on this. Last one 12 years ago. Last 2 years tough to get one w Covid everywhere.

[Southside25]

I figure why bother with a colonoscopy when I already have cancer? My onc. has never pushed it. I get regular mammograms and ultrasounds. I don't fully understand it, but dr. says different tests (PET, CT, bone scan, mammogram, ultrasound) give then different information so I just go with the flow.

[ChrisVict]

I just came out of onc office and asked her that my GYN inquired about colonoscopy. She said that pet covered the colonoscopy.

[Nocillo in reply to ChrisVict]

Thank you!

[mbogorad]

My oncologist said that mammograms can show stage 0, pre-cancer, that is not captured by the scans.