How do you counsel patients with a curable breast cancer that there is no indication for additional surveillance imaging after treatment other than continuing annual mammograms?

This is certainly a difficult question to address.

I acknowledge and validate the patient’s fears first. When breast cancer patients complete their primary therapy (often after they are stable on hormonal therapy or complete a year of Herceptin), and we begin talking about seeing them every 3 month...

These can be difficult discussions and some patients have a difficult time accepting this.

I have found that by spending significant time listening to their concerns from the time of diagnosis and through treatment, it builds rapport and increases the level of trust that your future recommendations ...

Spending plenty of time and empathizing with their fears is critical. I also explain it this way. Imagine two women who have the exact same diagnosis, stage of the disease, and treatment. One gets regular body scan and detects metastases before she has any symptoms. More than likely, she will begin ...

I usually explain to my patients that I will closely pay attention to their symptoms and physical exam findings. Based on these, if there is a concern about breast cancer recurrence or any other indication for further testing, it will not be ignored and I would proceed with whatever workup is necess...