Topic: Bone Scan for Breast Cancer Patients

I just finished up several days at MD Anderson (#1 Cancer Center in US according to US News&World). Maybe their practices has some bearing on this discussion. I can only speak for my situation.  They ordered a bone scan as part of my workup.  They told me during registration that a schedule of tests had already been set up for me but that I should not make plans based on the tests as the Dr. may add or remove tests once he reviewed all my tests and info from the original diagnosing center. I'm going to side with believing there is value in this test.  He did not schedule a breast MRI which surprised me as so many of you seem to have had that as a matter of course.  So I am fairly confident that the tests chosen were made partly as standard practice but with the understanding that the Dr. would have the last word on what tests he wanted.

    After my initial diagnosis I had a mastectomy and they removed 19 lymph nodes, all negative.My tumor was very small .9 cm.   I had a bone scan two years after that which was negative.  I later stupidly switched oncologists because I thought it would be nice to go for dr's appts with my mother.  This one did not do bone scans and when I asked why she said because it was so small and that I had no lymph node involvement.  She still did not do a bone scan when I started complaining about pain in my chest and it wasn't until two years later when I was still complaining and told her she had to do something that she ordered one.....a little too late because by then it was very advanced in my sternum and the CT scan that came after that showed cancer in my left lung as well as a spot on my liver.  I then switched oncologists and thanks to that move and still alive 11 years later and I am very thankful for that.  I think if the other onco had done scans earlier the cancer would have been discovered sooner and would not have gone on to my lung and liver...don't know that for sure, but as they say early detection is best. Looking back and thinking what if does no good I know and I am just thankful to still be here, but I think it is good oncos look for things before waiting for symptoms.     

speaking of evidence based medicine check out this site

http://breastcancer.evidencewatch.com/  

  For all you trekkies.....did you ever see that card where there was this little Scotty dog standing in front of a window and I foget if it was a cat or a dog looking up at the window and the caption....guess?....Beam me up Scotty.   I thought it was so cute. 

Dawnn.........wow, it sounds like Deja Vu - all over again! Lol - maybe that is why your photo is printing twice? Ooh - watch out - might mean something is wrong within the MATRIX! I'm also a huge fan of all the Matrix movies, lol!

    I used to always have halloween parties and did a theme.....like one year it was MardiGras, another cartoon characters, another time Woodstock.  I think with the hair I have now some sort of a space theme would be great....I don't really have the thighs for those lycra pants, but if I make my pointed collar big enough maybe people won't look down and notice them. Or maybe I could go for the Yoda look. 

Swimangel,  Ramble on....rambling is good.