The Colon Club

Very encouraging. I am happy for you.

Congrats! I'm at 5 years NED, stage IV myself.

Just curious, does your insurance keep covering scans beyond 5 years?

thank you all!
Ehut, yes my insurance covers the cost of CT scans and all other procedures. I'm also at MSKCC, which may have something to do with that.

Al

I've gotten conflicting messages about how long to continue scans. My local oncologist recommended no more scans after 4 years (relying on stable and low CEA numbers), and an oncologist at Mayo (my original onc at Mayo retired) recommended this year's scan be the last (5 years). But my Mayo surgeon recommends at least a couple more years, whether insurance covers it or not. I'm going with my surgeon for now.

radnyc wrote:Bitchslapped, the reason I'm concerned with more testing is that there's evidence out there that CT scan exposure increases the chances of even harder to treat cancers years later. I've be had over 20 Ct/PET scans that's a LOT of exposure. If I were say 70 years old I wouldn't care as I would probably die before anything would happen. I'm 55, so I'm concerned.
If there were other non radiation options I would do them in an instant.

To your point...I get it. My DH was young also. Asked his liver surgeon about that one time re: CT's. He said the amount of radiation is so small...well worth the risk in his opinion. However this was back in 2005.
My mindset is if you've had over 20, what's 3 more (assuming once yearly for the next 3 yrs), but who really knows the tipping point given the risks you are reading about. Hopefully IF you were ever to have a recurrence, you would be much older.

Best wishes to you in making the choice that sounds right for your particular circumstances.

BS

Al, congratulations!!!!

I am not happy with the radiation from scans either.
Is CEA really such a good, stable marker to you?? There are always pros and cons...

Congrats! re: it seems more of us are staying around longer -- great news to newbies such as my husband me!

radnyc wrote:Clear CT scan. I asked doc if we could stop the yearly tests, he left it up to me. He likes to go for 10 years with his patients. I told him I'd think about it. Been on here since 2010, a lot of people have passed on, but, it seems more of us are staying around longer. A good sign. Health and peace to all, those still in the battle DON'T GIVE UP!

Al

Sorry I missed this earlier
Great news and great advice !!!

Mega Cheers for many happy returns
CRguy

My onc moved me to one yearly scans for another year or 3, depending on my comfort zone. Since I'm turning 67 and have had a million CT scans, MRI, PET, X rays, Mammograms, etc., another couple won't make any difference.

I had my visit with my onc's PA on Tuesday, Oct. 10th and will get my CEA back tomorrow. As long as it remains between my norm of 2.7 to 3.4, I'll only have a chest low dose CT and an abdominal MRI once a year.

The anxiety was much less than ever before, tho I do keep looking to see if the CEA has been released.

I was dx'd Jan. 2, 2009 tho I'd been told what to expect on New Year's Eve when I had an emergency visit for a blockage. Surgery and 6 months FOLFOX then nothing until Feb. 2012 when my CEA had gone up from 3.9 to 6.4 and a liver met was found. Had a liver resection in April 2012 with 80% of my liver removed and no chemo. NED since.

Cross your fingers, say your prayers that my CEA remains within my norm!

Oh I am so ready to be done with cancer! There are now DAYS that I forget I ever had it!
Diane

Very Inspirational. Congratulations to you.

Wonderful news!!

I too am wrestling with no further CT surveillance and when I see my onc next summer, perhaps I'll have an answer to how I feel about no more scans per her recommendation. Protocol (if there really is such a thing for Stage 4) is no more scans for me but as evidenced on this forum, docs have different opinions. A no radiation MRI would be welcome but more CT radiation does concern me- even at age 61.

I am grateful to have this "problem" to sort out.
I wish we all did.

Congrats to you and continued health,
N

NedPlease wrote:Wonderful news!!

I too am wrestling with no further CT surveillance and when I see my onc next summer, perhaps I'll have an answer to how I feel about no more scans per her recommendation. Protocol (if there really is such a thing for Stage 4) is no more scans for me but as evidenced on this forum, docs have different opinions. A no radiation MRI would be welcome but more CT radiation does concern me- even at age 61.

I am grateful to have this "problem" to sort out.
I wish we all did.

Congrats to you and continued health,
N

Glad to hear of your successful treatment, good news is always uplifting! Stay well and keep in touch!