ACT every 3 weeks VS DD ACT ?

lexislove
lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
edited June 2014 in Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer

Hi everyone,

I finished my chemo ACT every 3 weeks in Feb 2008. Herceptin completed in Nov 2008. I feel great. Recently i have read that DD ( Dose dense) chemo is more superior to the conventional every 3 week regime. I'm freaked!!! I have read that DD is better for ER- woman or woman with lymph nodes. I did not have lymph node involvement and I did neo-adjuvat chemo. I had a great response to chemo, but I can't help but feel like I've been "ripped off" with my treatment. I'm in B.C. by the way. Can anyone help sort this out for me? I just saw my onc on Monday and won't be seeing him to April! Yell

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  • mke
    mke Member Posts: 584
    edited January 2009

    It was probably the lack of node involvement that led to the 3 week versus DD regimen, possibly also the grade of the tumour from the biopsy.   I wouldn't feel too ripped off if I were you, that DD thing is hard on every part of your body.  I ended up in the hospital twice with tranfusions and IV antibiotics.  First from DD AC and then from DD taxol.  Two years later I still have numb hands and feet from nerve damage and can't do some things that I used to enjoy.  But I'm alive.

    Chemo really is a balancing act - how to do the maximum damage to the cancer with the minimum damage to the rest of you and every case is different.

    I'm in Ontario, treated at Princess Margaret

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited January 2009

    Thanks for these responses.

    mke, i'm sorry about your nerve damage. An old boyfriend of mines mother still has the numbness in her feet and its been 3 years. I didnt realize that the DD is harder on the body. I just read that it seems to be more "effective". I also read BC Cancer Agency's chemo protocals for various cases. It did state that ACT every 3 weeks id given to HER2 + patients like myself.

    I need to trust the doctors knowing that they are the experts ect...

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  • mke
    mke Member Posts: 584
    edited January 2009

    No need to feel sorry, like I said I'm alive.  And you certainly should feel free to question your doctors and understand their recommendations for your treatment.  I just didn't want your feeling "ripped off" to lessen your feeling "great", so wanted to throw a little balance in.  Most of the time I feel pretty good too, I've learned to compensate for the numbness.

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  • tuffgirl
    tuffgirl Member Posts: 63
    edited June 2009

    Hi i received DD BUT on my suggestion!! I hate having to be an md in this journey...She was like "uh okay" when I asked. I had no idea at first about it being good for you I just wanted it over and asked can't we do every every two weeks - but only the AC on the Taxotere no matter what they slow to 3 which was a bore.

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