When should pet scans begin?

[Nancy277]

I finished 4 rounds of adjuvant chemo on 9-19-08 for triple negative, no node involvment. My cancer doc has not mentioned any scans yet. My regular doctor is wondering why a brain scan or pet scan has not been done. When is this normally done  after chemo? I feel good but now this doctor has me worried all over again.

[Nancy277]

Thanks for your comment. I agree, I do not like the radiation from them.

[japdip]

Some Oncologists don't do scans at all. Actually there is no difference in survival whether a recurrance or mets is discovered by scan or by symptoms. You might ask your Oncologist as it's usually their "call'. Your Physician could order a scan if you or he isn't comfortable not doing them. I prefer NOT to live by scans but it's a personal thing. They are expensive not to mention the added radiation exposure. Regards ....