Newly diagnosed and need advice please!!

pf78248
pf78248 Member Posts: 209
in Breast Cancer #1

My dear friend battled breast cancer 20 years ago and has been cancer free until a few months ago. She has been diagnosed with IVC, stage 1, grade 3. Triple negative. Her oncotype score was 47 putting her in the high recurrence range. T/C  chemo followed by radiation has been recommended. Her tumor was 1.2 CM.  She chose lumpectomy for this second cancer after mastectomy 20 years ago  

My question, is chemo necessary in your opinion and if so, what can she expect?  Her surgeon told her to plan on one year of treatment and recovery and then she should be normal.  I know it's a tough decision for her.  We lost both of our husbands to cancer in 2010 so we know how how tough chemo can be. I am encouraging her to do the chemo but of course it's up to her. Ladies, any advice is appreciated!  She is a dear and I only want the best for her. She is in her early 70's but extremely healthy other than the damn cancer!

Thanks so much. 

Priscilla

Comments

  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    #2
    Friend with TNBC

    You are a wonderful friend to care enough to come here for information and support. She will need you in the upcoming months. I was diagnosed with TNBC in late 2009 and had a mastectomy in 2010 followed by 4 rounds  of A/C (Adriamycin/Cytoxan) and 12 rounds of T (Taxotere). No radiation. Of course, being triple negative there was no hormonal therapy such as Tamoxifen or Arimidex. It has always been my understanding that TNBC responds well to chemotherapy. You can get a lot of information on the website www.tnbcfoundation.org. As you said, chemo can indeed be tough. It is doable though. Everyone reacts differently. There is a lot of help available to manage side effects. Even at this stage in your friend's life I am sure she wishes to fight and live on. To have to deal with a recurrence or a new cancer after so many years is disheartening and depressing. I always believe that knowledge is power. Helping your friend obtain that knowledge may be one of the best things you can do for her.

    I wish you both the best of luck.

    IRENE

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #3
    She is very fortunate to have a friend willing to help her advoc

    for her.  Triple negative can be very aggressive and like Irene said, with Hormone positive cancer, there are hormone blockers you can take.  Chemo is the best option for TNBC in the reading I have done.  I have IDC, er+,pr+. HER2 undetermined.

    I would listen to her doctors, chemo is suggested when the oncotype score is above a certain number, and having it once, certainly would push me to do the chemo.  It is so much better now even than it was when I first had it in 2002, then I did 2 1/2 years od weekly chemo this time around, 5 different kinds and combos of the drugs.  

    Is the recurrence in the same breast?  I wish her the best, and with the high on Co score I would be afraid not to do the chemo.  Chemo wasn't pleasant the first time around, or the 2nd, but I truly believe that the treatments are why I am still here, and unlike mine, she only has chemo as a fighting agent.  

    I wish her the best, and think you are an amazing friend to do this fornher.

    Hugs, 

    Carol

  • Puffin2014
    Puffin2014 Member Posts: 531 Member
    #4
    high onco score indicates her cancer likely responsive to chemo

    That's a very high onco score, which indicates it's a very aggressive fast growing cancer, but that's what chemo is effective against - rapidly growing cells. I was 62 when I went through my chemo and in good health otherwise. It was a rough few months, and it did take about a year before I felt like I was back to myself again, but compared to the alternative of maybe fighting painful mets to the bone I still think it was worth it.

  • dj_512
    dj_512 Member Posts: 1
    #5
    I am relatively new to BC, but

    I have gotten some good advice and have a great support network.  Your friend is lucky to have you  

    Triple negative is difficult, but the advances made in chemo, even in the last few years are truly amazing.  The premeds decrease the side effects significantly, so it's likely that your friend will have a much easier time with chemo this time around.

    It is important to get on top of breast cancer right away.  Triple negative is more of a challenge, and your friend would be well advised to select a top oncologist right away and go with their recommendations.  Perhaps one of the top research facilities would have a clinical trials, if indicated, for which your friend would be a good candidate.  Many of these trials are having remarkable results.

    Opting for no treatment is, of course, her decision; however, major strides have been made in BC, and it would not be the decision that I would make in 2016.

    Good luck and Godspeed.

     

     

     

     

  • Pixie Dust
    Pixie Dust Member Posts: 424 Member
    #6
    High Oncotype Score

    With a high oncotype score with a 47 I would go wih chemo. That is a high score.  Hugs Pixie

Discussion Boards