Chemo question

arlenewv

Hello! I'm new here and had a chemotherapy question. I had a lumpectomy on July 1, 1.6 cm, ER/PR +, HER-, node negative. I am now waiting for my Oncotype results. I am 48 years old. 

My oncologist seems to think my oncotype score will be in the middle. Would any of you opt for chemotherapy even if it was not strongly recommended? I keep thinking that being as aggressive about treatment (while I'm mentally prepared for it) would prevent recurrence. I'm not at all thrilled with the idea of chemo, but I want this thing taken care of. The waiting for the result is more painful than the physical pain! Any thoughts?

Seabee

Your oncotype score should be an important factor to consider, because it will depend not on the size of your tumor or the status of your nodes, but on the specific genetic makeup of  the tumor itself. If you were HER+ you could expect a high Oncotype score  and the test would be unnecessary, but since you are HER-, your score is unpredictable. If it is low, it would be illogical for you to do chemo, since chemo will inevitably harm your normal cells, wihout, in this case, providing any benefit.

You may be one of those lucky people who tolerate chemo very well, but you can also buy a whole lot of trouble by doing it unnecessarily.

thegoodfight

Arlene,

Here's my two cents.  I was one that it was questionable if I would benefit from chemo based on my onco score (17) and if the risks would be worth the little bit more chemo might give me.  It was a very tough decision and I finally went ahead so I could look myself in the eye and my husband and children.  I am 64 and yesterday was my one year cancerversary.

I have never looked back and questioned my decision.  Infact, the more time has gone on the more I am glad I had the chemo.  When you finish whatever treatment you do have ( I had chemo, radiation and now I am on arimidex) you suddenly find yourself in this big black hole of doubt.  Every little ache etc. gets your mind going.  I have had a few moments and it helped me a whole lot that I didn't have to now question whether I should have had chemo.  I KNOW I HAVE DONE ALL I COULD TO FIGHT THE BEAST!!

So in my case I made the decision because I couldn't make the decision and I decided it would be insurance.  It has allowed me to continue sleeping at night.

My advice,  and it is only my opinion, only consider not doing chemo if your onco score is very, very low.  But you will know what is right for you when the time comes.  You will make your decision and then don't ever question yourself.

Good luck to you.

idaho

Heck no I wouldn't do chemo if it wasn't strongly recommended- and I didn't.    It can do so much harm- it only raised my chance of no recurrence by 4%- I said no thanks.   Tami

kellyless

There are different chemo options to consider as well, so you will have a lot to think about.  My friend had a mid range score, her doc wanted her to do chemo, ACT - after research and lots of questions they decided on 4 rounds instead of 8, and Taxotere & Cytoxin - no nasty Adriamycin.  She now says she realizes she's the kind of person that would have doubted and 2nd guessed herself forever if she had forgone chemo - against doctors recommendation, so she's grateful she did it - and grateful she had a shorter, less toxic version as well. 

It's been said on the boards a million times, but it's so true - waiting is one of the worst things involved in this.  So many gigantic decisions to be made, you feel the most tremendous pressure.   Wait for the score, research what you can, make a list of questions for your oncologist - and most importantly get a second opinion!  Even if you adore your 1st oncologist, seek out a 2nd one for another opinion.  After all of this, you are very likely to have a more strong feeling of the right thing to do. 

nelia48

Sometimes I find all these discussions very strange and foreign to me.  I was clueless when I started with all this breast cancer stuff.  My first stop was the mammogram.  Second stop was an oncologist.  Third stop was the surgeon for the biopsy.  Then back to the oncologist.  I really didn't know what questions to ask.  Didn't know about websites like this.

But my oncologist seemed to just lay out a treatment plan for me -- no if's, and's, or but's about it.  And I trusted him.  After all, this was a cancer center, full of dr.s, nurses, professionals who dealt with this every day of their lives.  Surely they knew what to do for my stage, kind, grade of cancer.  So I went with their plan.  One day I asked him what would happen if I didn't do the chemo, and he just flatly said, "You'll die."  And that was that!  I did it!

I've never asked a lot of questions.  Over the past year I have tried to become better learned and better informed on all aspects of breast cancer.  But I still am so confused and I question that so many of you are being left to make these life changing decisions on your own.  I don't know what I would do if I had to do that. It would be one thing for my oncologist to say you have to do chemo, and I said No.  Then I would know I just went against medical advice.  But to be left to make the decision and have to live with that. ... .just beyond my ability to do. 

reen

My first cancer, it was my choice not to do chemo.  The Dr. left it up to me.  Then I had a second primary 2 years later.  Will I always question whether I should have done chemo the first time.  You bet.  Do I think it would have kept me from getting cancer a second time.  Probably not. 

Well that was no help, was it. 

mtnuts

Dear arlnewv,

Make sure your oncologist goes over the risks as well as benefits of chemo if your score is in the middle. There are (rare) cases of chemo-caused cancers (such as leukemia) and life-threatening  infections caused by the (temporary) effects of chemo on the immune system.

My partner used to be an oncology nurse and has relatives who are alive now because of it. It is important to consider the risks as well as benefits, and get at least two oncologist's opinions. 

arlenewv

Thank you all for the information and opinions! Every little thing to consider plays such a role in the decision making process. God take care of you all!