My medical history: Invasive ductal carcinoma, dx Aug. 1, 2003. Had lumpectomy Aug. 1, re-excision on Aug. 25. Began 4 rounds of A/C on Sept. 17. Began 33 radiation treatments on Dec. 29 (7 of these were boosts). Tumor was 1.1 centimeter, histologic grade I, nuclear grade I, no tumor necrosis seen, no neurovascular invasion seen, negative lymph nodes, Her2neu negative, ER and PR positive. Tumor calcification is minimal. My question: What would be an appropriate follow-up for the next few years? I just saw my medical oncologist last week (I finish the boosts this week) and he said I should come back in 6 months (August). After that he said I should return once a year. Is this frequent enough? From what I've read, it doesn't sound like it is. Even though the tumor was the slow-growing type, it is still invasive cancer and I am very scared. I'd like someone "watching" me for a couple of years.
I also started Tamoxifen a month ago and will be taking it for 5 years.
Also, my treatment was not at a big medical center, rather, a small-town hospital if that makes any difference.
Thanks so much for your opinion.