second guess

JannaC

Hello all,

I'm new to this sharing with everyone, but it helps.  I was diagnosed in Feb, 2009 and had a lumpectomy in March, and then a reincision to get a clean margin.  It was .9mm, node negative, ER+, HER2-, oncotype score of 19.  I also have LCIC in both breasts and hyperplasia.  I had a breast reduction during the first surgery as my breasts were a DD.  Now I'm a small B.  I thought by having less breast tissue, that might help my chances.   My oncologist recommended radiation and Femara, so that's what I did.  She said chemo could lower my recurrance a couple of points, but felt it wasn't worth it.  Everything I've read says above an 18 people have chemo.  Now I'm living with fear.  I have had zero side affects on the Femara so far.  Thanks, all.  Janna

AnneW

Second guessing your treatment is pretty normal, but often counterproductive. Femara and vigilence should suffice. Your oncotype is just a number. When I was first diagnosed in 2002, that test wasn't available. Those of us with Stage 1, Grade 1 tumors were left to make the decision for ourselves.

My feeling is, once you make a choice, you need to keep moving forward and not look back.

You should talk over your concerns with your doctor, and see what insight she has for you. I'm glad the Femara is treating you well!

Anne

nash

LOL, I second guess my decision for taking chemo with an Oncotype of 18. So when one is in these grey areas, nothing seems to be the sure route. My tumor size, age at diagnosis and the fact that the ILC was of the pleomorphic variety led four oncs to tell me I had to do chemo, so that's why I did it.

And as far as less breast tissue meaning less risk of bc, they've done studies that have shown large breasted women do not have higher rates of bc than small breasted women. Having smaller breasts would probably make a tumor easier to find on self-exam, though.

hlya

Hi, 

Do large breasts have more fat and less density?  I had small breasts with high density but seems high density breasts are  easier to get BC?  

JannaC

I'm not sure about the density issue.  I was always told that I had dense breasts.  I'm 57 so maybe the breasts get less dense when you get older.  I know that lobular cancer is hard to find on a mamogram, but mine was found, and it was less than 1cm but it had lacy tenecals and that's why my surgeon didn't get a clear margin the first time.  She said she got a clear margin with the second incision, I just don't know how big it was.  I'm hoping the radiation got rid of anything else and that the Femar works!  I did read a study done in Germany regarding breast reduction helping reduce the rick of recurrance, but I don't think most doctors in the US agree with it.  Thanks, everyone.

LizziesNuNu

Janna,

I'm new to this too, but am finding so much information and comfort from this website. It is invaluable. I agree with everyone on here, second guessing is human nature. I'm second guessing and haven't even made my decision. I am having the MRI for insurance reasons, if I decide to do a mastecomy on both breast, I have to show reason. Also, if there is anything there it should show up ( I guess, I'm learning that the more you think you have it figured out, the more you don't). I also feel the more information I have the better decision I can make. One minute it's mastecomy, the next lump.

I'll be thinking about you.