Hello Survivors! Just wondering...I am 2 years post TX and am just wondering how often will these CT scans will be ordered? I get one every 6 months. My next one is on 8/12/10.

I feel secure from the information that the CT gives, but cringe that I am still receiving so much radiation per CT.

Could cancer come back from receiving CT scans over time? On the last visit to my oncologist & mentioned this concern, she stated that the CT's give the best image needed to rule out any problems. How do I argue with that? !

I am 3.5 years out and they decided to stop scanning me. They will always scope me and do a chest xray every year. There is exposure to a little radiation but the 1st few years after treatment are the highest chance of reoccurance. Hopefully you won't be scanned for life. I know exactly how you feel-- it is good to know the info but they are not the most fun things to do.

Hang in there! Kate

I had 3 scans all within my first year due to lung spots and have none since. I am now on a every 6 month visit schedule and of course they do the scope thing but that's it.

I had a 3 post treatment PET/CT scans and then it was stopped. Insurance was just one of the reason so we switched to an MRI (this year).
Regarding radiation this is a concern and there are numbers floating around that correlate medically unnecessary CT scans (in ERs), done to avoid lawsuits and induced cancers. While these numbers are not zero they are very small and in comparison to the radiation which you already got it is a drop in the bucket. (This is my rationale).
Still, perhaps you could explore if MRI's are an option for you.

M

My oral surgeon never liked to do CTs unless he thought something was wrong. He relied on visual and scope.

My lung dr and pancreas dr, however, both run me through the CT once a year. Since I've now been diagnosed with early stage triple negative breast cancer that my breast surgeon thinks might be caused by skatter radiation from the H&N cancer, I'm wondering if all these xtra CT scans might have contributed to it also. I'm certain they didn't help.

CT scans do expose you to lots of radiation. I forget the numbers but they are available somewhere. Maybe Gary will pop in and post on this.

As for me, I'm going to try to avoid them from now on in if I can.

Take care,
Eileen

Thanks everyone for your input & taking the time to post. From the minute we are told about our cancer..we have staff rallying around us, so much attention. Thats when we know we are really sick...or very liked! When treatments are over it is a little let down in an odd way! All that attention just comes to an end! So I guess the follow up is OK. It keeps us in the loop!
As long as CT scan is what my Dr. wants for now, thats what I'll do! I will continue to put my trust in her hands! She's done me GOOD so far !!!

I'm not sure what my drs plan on doing after this next scan. I've had one every 3 months since treatment ended, I would like for them to at least be every 6 months if not longer in between but at the same time, I trust their judgment and if it's what I need at the time then so be it.