what you think... Chemo or no?
I had a BLM with these results
NEG NODES
BRAC -
ER +, PROG + (99%)
HER2-
GRADE 1
T1
Tumor size 1.4 cm IDC
DCIS in 6 out of 16 breast sections
37 years old????
Comments
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I agree with Kat11. SinceKat11 said:Ok this is just a guess. I
Ok this is just a guess. I say yes because it IDC.
I agree with Kat11. Since it is IDC, I would say yes too. Have you had the Oncotype test yet to see what it says? Several go by the numbers on that. And, others have it just to have peace of mind, knowing they did everything possible to kill any stray cancer cells.0 -
Oncotype?
Have you asked your doctor whether this test would be appropriate for you? I didn't have any areas of DCIS, but had IDC, about 1.3 cm, and was on the fence about chemo myself. I had the Oncotype and the score came back in the intermediate range, which helped me to decide, and I opted for the chemo. The test gives you a lot of details that can be helpful in deciding whether chemo will benefit you enough to be worth it for you. Others have decided that they didn't even want the test and just wanted to go ahead with the chemo to make sure they did everything they could to ensure the cancer didn't recur.
Since you are young, one factor might be that if you do chemo now, your body should be able to withstand the effects better than it might if the cancer recurred several years later. That was a factor in my decision, even though I was 50 at the time I was diagnosed. I figured I was in pretty good shape physically now and might not be as strong down the road if the cancer came back.
Best of luck in making this difficult decision. It is not an easy one.
Cindy0 -
hi hun, for me i wanted mycindycflynn said:Oncotype?
Have you asked your doctor whether this test would be appropriate for you? I didn't have any areas of DCIS, but had IDC, about 1.3 cm, and was on the fence about chemo myself. I had the Oncotype and the score came back in the intermediate range, which helped me to decide, and I opted for the chemo. The test gives you a lot of details that can be helpful in deciding whether chemo will benefit you enough to be worth it for you. Others have decided that they didn't even want the test and just wanted to go ahead with the chemo to make sure they did everything they could to ensure the cancer didn't recur.
Since you are young, one factor might be that if you do chemo now, your body should be able to withstand the effects better than it might if the cancer recurred several years later. That was a factor in my decision, even though I was 50 at the time I was diagnosed. I figured I was in pretty good shape physically now and might not be as strong down the road if the cancer came back.
Best of luck in making this difficult decision. It is not an easy one.
Cindy
hi hun, for me i wanted my doc to tell me i had to have chemo and all the other treatments but he sat on the fence and it was my decision. I didn't want that, what do i know? Surely they are the most imformed and should tell you honestly?
So, my decision was to go for it all, chemo, radiation and removing my ovaries as so not needed now because i thought if i can get rid of anything that produces oestrogen i don't want in my body! and hopefully will stop it returning.
Its such a personal choice but i feel better knowing that i will have done all i physically can.
Why are you concerned about the chemo? Is it because of hair loss, cos if it is, look at the bigger picture, it will grow back.
Hope this helps in a small way x0 -
A difficult decision.sparklewings said:hi hun, for me i wanted my
hi hun, for me i wanted my doc to tell me i had to have chemo and all the other treatments but he sat on the fence and it was my decision. I didn't want that, what do i know? Surely they are the most imformed and should tell you honestly?
So, my decision was to go for it all, chemo, radiation and removing my ovaries as so not needed now because i thought if i can get rid of anything that produces oestrogen i don't want in my body! and hopefully will stop it returning.
Its such a personal choice but i feel better knowing that i will have done all i physically can.
Why are you concerned about the chemo? Is it because of hair loss, cos if it is, look at the bigger picture, it will grow back.
Hope this helps in a small way x
I strongly suggest the oncotypedx test if you haven't had one yet. You are very young and although I chose not to have chemo (I was 58 when diagnosed) I think I would have opted for chemo if I had been under 50. My onco score was 18 which is low intermediate. That meant that they don't know if chemo would help. Lots to consider when making such an important decision.
Roseann0 -
There was no difficult decision for me....roseann4 said:A difficult decision.
I strongly suggest the oncotypedx test if you haven't had one yet. You are very young and although I chose not to have chemo (I was 58 when diagnosed) I think I would have opted for chemo if I had been under 50. My onco score was 18 which is low intermediate. That meant that they don't know if chemo would help. Lots to consider when making such an important decision.
Roseann
The protocol treatment for my Invasive Ductal Carinoma was chemo...does it have side effects, you bet, can some side effects be long term, you bet. Consider what the side effects are for cancer left untreated. All it takes is one cell left behind to grow and spread.
We've all had friends and family members die 20 or 30 or more years ago because the treatments we have now just weren't discovered yet. 1970 a freind died with breast cancer...she got Kobalt treatments (many of you will be remember hearing that word). People are surviving now because of our current regime of treatments and early detection.
Did chemo make me sick, YES! Did I lose my hair, YES! Is growing back? YES! Do I feel I have done everything humanely possible to prevent recurrence? YES! If it does recurr, I will know in my heart I didn't skip anything. I'm 67 yrs. old and I want to live so that means I will listen to my doctors. I read on everything, I educate myself and I have confidence in my doctors because they are following the protocols that I read about.
My decision was easy for me, I am sorry it's so difficult for you. Chemo is scary, but we have all come thru it and you will too (if you dedide to have it). Talk to your doctors about your difficult time and see if they can help you.
Hugs, Judy :-)0 -
I was told....Skeezie said:There was no difficult decision for me....
The protocol treatment for my Invasive Ductal Carinoma was chemo...does it have side effects, you bet, can some side effects be long term, you bet. Consider what the side effects are for cancer left untreated. All it takes is one cell left behind to grow and spread.
We've all had friends and family members die 20 or 30 or more years ago because the treatments we have now just weren't discovered yet. 1970 a freind died with breast cancer...she got Kobalt treatments (many of you will be remember hearing that word). People are surviving now because of our current regime of treatments and early detection.
Did chemo make me sick, YES! Did I lose my hair, YES! Is growing back? YES! Do I feel I have done everything humanely possible to prevent recurrence? YES! If it does recurr, I will know in my heart I didn't skip anything. I'm 67 yrs. old and I want to live so that means I will listen to my doctors. I read on everything, I educate myself and I have confidence in my doctors because they are following the protocols that I read about.
My decision was easy for me, I am sorry it's so difficult for you. Chemo is scary, but we have all come thru it and you will too (if you dedide to have it). Talk to your doctors about your difficult time and see if they can help you.
Hugs, Judy :-)
because of the positive nodes, that I needed chemo.
You would think that would make it easy. But, I had just finished a full round of chemo treatment for rectal cancer, barely 6 months earlier...and was still suffering the side effects..
I'm sorry you are having a hard time. I agree with Judy, talk to your doctors...I did, and went ahead with the chemo....even when the news points one way or the other, it is ultimately your choice...
We are here for you...and, like Judy, I had every side effect in the book, but I don't regret making the decision I made.
A nurse said it well for me: "The decision you make is never the wrong decision, as long as you are fully informed and you believe in the decision full on."
Hugs, Kathi0 -
personal decision
It is hard for someone else to tell you what you should do, even your doctor. I asked mine, if it were his loved one or himself, what would he do? He told me he would do the chemo no matter what the Oncotype results were. I was ER/PR positive, stage 2a no node involvement and Onco test was borderline. I had one infilterating(margins not clear-over 2 cm in size) and one insitu tumor.
I had alot of complications with the chemo but even with everything I have gone through, I would not change my decision.
The best thing to do is make sure you educate yourself and then it will be easier to make your decision. Best of luck to you!0 -
Hi Kathi,KathiM said:I was told....
because of the positive nodes, that I needed chemo.
You would think that would make it easy. But, I had just finished a full round of chemo treatment for rectal cancer, barely 6 months earlier...and was still suffering the side effects..
I'm sorry you are having a hard time. I agree with Judy, talk to your doctors...I did, and went ahead with the chemo....even when the news points one way or the other, it is ultimately your choice...
We are here for you...and, like Judy, I had every side effect in the book, but I don't regret making the decision I made.
A nurse said it well for me: "The decision you make is never the wrong decision, as long as you are fully informed and you believe in the decision full on."
Hugs, Kathi
Was the chemo for bc the same as for rectal cancer? What did you get? Are the side effects pretty much the same? I had C/T, 4 cycles. We thought I would go for six because the first cycle was pretty easy, but after that it got worse each time so my doc said that 4 was the protocl and I was having my 4th and she thought I should stop. I was worried that 4 wasn't enough and she assured me it was.
You just have to trust your doc's and if you don't have that trust for one reason or another, find another one. Not all personalities will click and after hearing some stories on this board not all doc's are great. I have read where many on this board have gotten second opinions or switched altogher.
Kathi, what a horrible dream for you! I have my first mammorgram on the remaining breast next month and I'm worried, not about this cancer, but a new one completely. Mine is Triple neg and a new one could be hormone positive...But we always have some doubts at mammorgram time, now it will just be heightened.
As always, we all pray for each other to be well and strong...
Hugs, Judy :-)0 -
Thank you all for theelm3544 said:personal decision
It is hard for someone else to tell you what you should do, even your doctor. I asked mine, if it were his loved one or himself, what would he do? He told me he would do the chemo no matter what the Oncotype results were. I was ER/PR positive, stage 2a no node involvement and Onco test was borderline. I had one infilterating(margins not clear-over 2 cm in size) and one insitu tumor.
I had alot of complications with the chemo but even with everything I have gone through, I would not change my decision.
The best thing to do is make sure you educate yourself and then it will be easier to make your decision. Best of luck to you!
Thank you all for the advise. I am looking forward to seeing an oncologist, I will ask for the test. If they say it will help then I will take it on. But you know their is always that thought that they will say - "NO you don't need it at all!" , I will be prepared either way, the whole wig thing actually seems a little fun
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Taking the Oncotype testTulsaMomof3 said:Thank you all for the
Thank you all for the advise. I am looking forward to seeing an oncologist, I will ask for the test. If they say it will help then I will take it on. But you know their is always that thought that they will say - "NO you don't need it at all!" , I will be prepared either way, the whole wig thing actually seems a little fun
Taking the Oncotype test might help you and your oncologist to make the decision whether you take chemo or not. Good luck in whatever you choose.0 -
My Oncotype score was 12. IAngie2U said:Taking the Oncotype test
Taking the Oncotype test might help you and your oncologist to make the decision whether you take chemo or not. Good luck in whatever you choose.
My Oncotype score was 12. I opted for chemo because I didn't want any regrets later. I hear too many stories of metastasizing cancer 5 years later, and I don't want that to happen to me. My mother lost her 10 year battle with cancer when she was 52 years old. I have a 5 year old and I plan on being at her wedding even though my mother was not alive to be at mine. I feel it's best to error on the side of caution, but you have to do what is best for you. Chemo is no picnic, but I chose to do it so I can be here as long as I can for my daughter's sake. Get all the pros/cons from your docs and from cancer survivors, and best of luck and prayers to you!0 -
I too chose Chemodianebraun said:My Oncotype score was 12. I
My Oncotype score was 12. I opted for chemo because I didn't want any regrets later. I hear too many stories of metastasizing cancer 5 years later, and I don't want that to happen to me. My mother lost her 10 year battle with cancer when she was 52 years old. I have a 5 year old and I plan on being at her wedding even though my mother was not alive to be at mine. I feel it's best to error on the side of caution, but you have to do what is best for you. Chemo is no picnic, but I chose to do it so I can be here as long as I can for my daughter's sake. Get all the pros/cons from your docs and from cancer survivors, and best of luck and prayers to you!
My first instinct was to say no, but my mother made it clear to me I had a son who needed a mother. Once I looked at it like that...
I was 36 at time of dx and 11 out of 21 nodes.
They didn't feel the need for radiation since it didn't improve my chances for survival but for a few percentages. I decided if I was doing anything I would do everything that bettered my chances. I am 14 years out of my breast cancer IDC stage 3 and I was comfortable with it all.
Good luck,
Tara0 -
I agree with everything said
I agree with everything said here so far. My cancer was much like yours. Oncotypedx test showed I had 15% chance of recurrance within 10 years if I didn't have chemo. I'm half done with chemo now and, as we say, it's DOABLE! I'm chasing this cancer with everything I've got.
I think I remember when you were deciding about BLM. At that time I said, and I say again: "Momof3!" 'Nuff said -- You absolutely want to be around a long time for those 3.0 -
Hit it with everything youChristine Louise said:I agree with everything said
I agree with everything said here so far. My cancer was much like yours. Oncotypedx test showed I had 15% chance of recurrance within 10 years if I didn't have chemo. I'm half done with chemo now and, as we say, it's DOABLE! I'm chasing this cancer with everything I've got.
I think I remember when you were deciding about BLM. At that time I said, and I say again: "Momof3!" 'Nuff said -- You absolutely want to be around a long time for those 3.
Hit it with everything you can~fot the sake of your children.
What it the world coming to when YOU have to tell the DOCTORS what treatment you want!!!!!!
Like someone said earlier, THEY are the experts.Thats what they spent years in expensive med schools for!
How should WE know what will give us the best chance of a healthy future??
Its not nice to have chemo, but you need to know you did all you could and so do your kids.
Wishing you all the best and lotsa of hugs
xoxo0 -
I opted not to have chemo
I had the oncotype test and had a score of 14. My oncologist recommend that I not do chemo even though I had 2 positive sentinal nodes at stage IIB (Stage IIA before surgery). He stated that having chemo would actually reduce my recurrence rate by 1%. As every doctor is a human being with their own opinions, I didn't want to rely on just one opinion. I had my case reviewed by the tumor board made up of doctors of different disciplines. My surgeon was very skeptical at first, so he was the one that presented my case to the tumor board. After the review, he said he was comfortable with the oncologist's recommendation. In addition, my oncologist had my case reviewed be another oncologist from UCLA who also agreed with his recommendation. I did have radiation even though with a mastectomy that is not normally needed. It am fine with my decision and is something I can live with. It is a very personal decision, just do your reserach and do what is right for you and your situation. Make sure your insurance covers the oncotype test as some do not and it is very expensive. Around $3,950. The company that provides the test does have a good financial assistance program so be sure to check into that even if your insurance company will cover part. Sometimes the rest can get written off. I was fortunate that my insurance company covered the test even though they originally said they wouldn't.0 -
I agree with mstar, hit itm-star said:Hit it with everything you
Hit it with everything you can~fot the sake of your children.
What it the world coming to when YOU have to tell the DOCTORS what treatment you want!!!!!!
Like someone said earlier, THEY are the experts.Thats what they spent years in expensive med schools for!
How should WE know what will give us the best chance of a healthy future??
Its not nice to have chemo, but you need to know you did all you could and so do your kids.
Wishing you all the best and lotsa of hugs
xoxo
I agree with mstar, hit it with all that you can! Good luck to you!0
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