Irving, TX, March, 2016 – Breast cancer survivors may soon find themselves reporting back to their doctors for routine, follow-up testing a little less frequently. Two major organizations recently announced changes to their follow-up screening guidelines.

The American Cancer Society and the American Society of Clinical Oncology both now agree that less rigid follow-up schedules may be in order for survivors. Rather than require MRI and laboratory tests on a regular basis, both organizations say that routine physical exams and mammograms are acceptable unless symptoms indicate a need for more aggressive testing.

“The recommendations come after multiple studies have shown that extensive follow-up doesn’t necessarily produce a survivorship benefit,” explains Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at Choice Cancer Care. “Over-testing, however, has been linked to more frequent false positives and the use of more invasive testing procedures that may not be 100 percent necessary.”

The new recommendations were developed after in-depth analysis on 240 previous studies was performed. The findings indicate that an abundance of testing in survivors simply may not be necessary. Patients, however, are urged to undergo continued endocrine therapy for at least five years after treatment, preferably 10 years.

“It is important for patients to remember the guidelines are simply that,” says Dr. Echt. “In some, higher-risk cases, routine MRIs and certain lab work may be necessary to keep close tabs on a patient to ensure cancer has not returned. In addition, symptoms unique to the patient may prompt further testing recommendations.”

An estimated 246,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the United States. About 40,000 women die from the disease annually. Routine screening exams are considered crucial for catching this cancer in its earliest stages.

About Choice Cancer Care
Choice Cancer Care is an independent, physician-owned cancer center network. Dr. Gregory Echt, a radiation oncologist with over two decades of experience, is the founder of Choice Cancer Care. Choice Cancer Care is among the busiest practices in the country for brachytherapy, or prostate seed implant therapy – a cancer treatment plan for prostate cancer that provides remarkable success rates and fewer life-limiting side effects.