Trying to determine if I need chemo based on Mammaprint results

Kecarpenter

I'm ER/PR positive and HER2 negative. I'm stage 1a and grade 1. I had my surgery and was going to have radiation but my mammaprint came back at high risk and they're suggesting chemo. Anyone have the same experience?

Moderators

Hi Kecarpenter, and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

We're so sorry for the circumstances that bring you here, but we're really glad you found us. You're sure to find our incredible Community a supportive network of knowledgeable members, always willing to help. Someone will surely by by shortly to weigh in with their experiences -- you may also want to post on the Chemo forum to see if anyone there has experienced similar.

Also, you may be interested in this page from the main Breastcancer.org site on Mammaprint, which also lists other genomic tests you may ask your doctor about.

We hope this helps and we look forward to hearing more from you soon!

--The Mods

KBeee

Sometimes small, node negative tumors can be surprisingly aggressive in terms of their genetic signature, which is why they do those tests. You can certainly get a second opinion, and it is ultimately up to you, but chemo is recommended to help prevent distant metastasis. Best wishes with you decision. Sorry you're facing this.

Runrcrb

My mammaprints were low risk but I had multiple nodes involved so ... i did chemo. In all honestly, radiation was harder on me than chemo. Don't be afraid to talk to an oncologist about chemo options. Yes I did lose my hair but I had a killer wig. And my regrown hair is actually different from my pre-chemo hair. 10x curlier.

Kecarpenter

What were you told were the percentages that you gain from gettting chemo and radiation verses just radiation

gb2115

I think mammaprint is pretty straight forward, either high or low risk without a grey area where you then have to decide. High risk they will definitely recommend chemo because your cancer cells are the type that respond to it.

Meow13

Your tumor was a grade 1, interesting they must have seen something genetically that led to that result. I would want to know more, were your er and pr percentages high?

The oncodx high risk 34 I received was about 23% recurrence risk in 10 year period. So imagine the mamoprint risk is similar over 20%. That was based on taking tamoxifen.