Mom diagnosed with BC two days ago, now has Chemo scheduled for next week.

KaliGrace917

This is all happening so fast! Part of me is happy to be moving forward so quickly, I mean once you get the diagnosis you want immediate answers and that seems like what we are getting. I just have some questions. So she had a clean mammogram in October of 2017 and now barely 6 months layer she has stage 2 BC with a lump measuring 2.5 cm. My son (he is 19) asked why they wanted to do Chemo since it is only stage 2 and the only answer I had was because it is very aggressive, can anyone help me to better understand why they want to do Chemo before surgery? 

KaliGrace917

Update:

She is Triple Negative -  from what I’ve read, that is not good news. 

jessiesmom1

TNBC Diagnosis

Oncologists will often suggest chemo prior to surgery in order to shrink the tumor. I was diagnosed with TNBC Stage IIa, Grade 3 in December 2009. TNBC does tend to be pretty aggressive but responds well to chemotherapy. I had 4 rounds of A/C (Adriamycn/Cytoxan) and 12 rounds of Taxotere. I also had 2 reconstruction surgeries. Here we are 9 YEARS LATER. That is a win in my book. My children were 17 and 19 at the time of my diagnosis. You can get a lot of information on TNBC on the website of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation at tnbcfoundation.org  I wish all of you the best of luck.

IRENE 

KaliGrace917

jessiesmom1 said:

TNBC Diagnosis

Oncologists will often suggest chemo prior to surgery in order to shrink the tumor. I was diagnosed with TNBC Stage IIa, Grade 3 in December 2009. TNBC does tend to be pretty aggressive but responds well to chemotherapy. I had 4 rounds of A/C (Adriamycn/Cytoxan) and 12 rounds of Taxotere. I also had 2 reconstruction surgeries. Here we are 9 YEARS LATER. That is a win in my book. My children were 17 and 19 at the time of my diagnosis. You can get a lot of information on TNBC on the website of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation at tnbcfoundation.org  I wish all of you the best of luck.

IRENE 

Thank you

that does give me hope - so glad you are doing well!

pamelamasterson

Advice

As you mentioned the lump measured 2.5 cm, chemo may actually help in shrinking this lump thereby easing the surgery. You must go with your onco's advice and follow chemotherapy. All the best brave lady