Talk Cancer

Question:

<< I was just wondering… Has anybody done this to check for cancer that may have metasisized?   One of our good friends who has thyroid cancer had one ordered by his oncologist.  The results were good.  I had thought about getting one but was thinking about getting a combination PET/CT scan (I think it is called a GE scan).  I read something about it being done at Harvard.  I have some info about it on my other computer which I don’t have access to now; otherwise I’d share…

Response:

<< The problem with scans like that is that they can find things that they really didn’t want to know about. I’ve been told that about MRI’s, too. That’s what my HMO internist told me, too.  However, I figure that was some sort of propaganda to displace the truth that it would be too costly to do too many wanted to get it done.  I have also read that they are  "state-of-the-art" for detection.

Response:

I just saw a segment on 20/20 about the new total body scan procedure. I was just wondering… Has anybody done this to check for cancer that may have metasisized?

The total body scan is just a slightly faster CT scan.  Don’t worry.  If your doctor thinks you have metastasis, you will get a CT scan, believe me. — Aloha, Catharine Character is what you do when no one’s watching.

Response:

Catherine…. What the "other Catharine" told you….is very true..well at least it was here dear. My bloodwork came back elevated in April of 2000. Four months after I had completed chemo treatments. [6 months of cmf] The Alk Phos levels were up…I had a bone scan which came back fine. And then he scheduled a abdominal ct scan for a couple weeks later. That came back clean also. I was very worried till we got the results. He was very kind, and assured me he didn’t believe there was anything as far as more cancer going on…but would rather be safe then sorry later on… When both tests were in ..he sat down with both my hubby and myself and explained that I’m just one of those rare birds that takes awhile longer. I’m on daily neds for a pre-existing condition, and was on other OTC meds at that time that was effecting it also. As far as this particular area of the bloodwork…there are alot of things that can effect it. I feel much better now having more information about this. Never be afraid to ask, ask, and ask again till you get the answers that you need, or want from your doctor[s] no matter what’s bothering you…. Take care there dear God bless you annie "Lord, Keep Your Arm Around My Shoulder…And Your Hand Over My Mouth"   "Courage is being afraid to do something, and then doing it anyway"