I had Breast cancer in 2001 has a mastectomy followed by chemo. Now I get a mammogram once a year and see the doctor for a checkup. No blood work is done, just a physical exam, no tests, etc. Due to my mother having breast cancer and it returned at ten years, are there other things that should be done? At my last check up I was told I didn't have to come back if I didn't want to as it had been over seven years. Just want to make sure nothing is being neglected.
Answer
My mother had breast cancer that reappeared after about 11 years, in her bones. They had never done bone scans until one time she had terrible back pain for a long time...they actually sent her to therapy for months, rolling her on big balls and stuff, not realizing she had breast cancer in the bones of her back and she then got fractures. Her leg was about to just break, it was so far gone. Now she is on chemo and radiation. Ask your doctor about bone scans. They can't stop it or prevent it - but hopefully would detect it (if it ever came)early enough that the treatments would help.
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