DO I NEED CHEMOTHERAPY? I HAVE TO DECIDE NEXT WEEK

So sorry you had to join this group, but glad you are here for the support and information!  It's been such a help and encouragement for me.

I can't begin to give good advice here for you.  Since I was stage 3b and had lymph node involvement, I took everything I could get!  My oncologist didn't seem to give me a choice -- just said, "This is what we're going to do. . .!"  And I never questioned it. 

I'm sure others will come by who have the same diagnosis as yours and give some better info and opinions!

I'm hoping for the best for you no matter what you choose to do!

Cora

http://www.hiddenrichessecretplaces.blogspot.com/

According to the website this group distributes the test in Australia, Healthscope Limited (Gribbles Pathology), it doesn't name a city.  I hope it helps.

Karen

I'm in the same boat as you.  It is so difficult.  I'm awating the oncotype dx test to help me make my decision.  My onco is also leaning towards no chemo and i have a bigger tumor (2.5 cm) and now an additional dx of the sentinel node has micrometastis after a second staining (.5 mm) not much but it is worrisome to me.  I'm 44 with 2 kids 12 and 15.  I want to be around to guide them through life.  I don't know what to do either.  Do we put our bodies through 3 months of toxins to kill off any potential cancer or do we say no and go with just the hormones (although I have to have my ovaries out as i cannot take tamoxifin because they can cause blood clots and I have a family history of them).  The oncotype test will help.  I hope you can get it done.  Good luck and let us know what you choose.

HY66, you asked this:  "I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's been in the same situation and how they arrived at their final decision."

If you were in the U.S., your final decision would probably be based, in part, on the results of an Oncotype DX test.  KEW and shejoh mentioned that test.  It's designed to be used on tumors that are ER+ (like yours) and early stage (negative nodes), to predict the probability of distant recurrence (metastasis) and the likely benefit of chemotherapy.  My Oncotype result was used along with all the usual variables, like tumor size, tumor grade, my age, etc., but the Oncotype score swayed the balance and led 2 oncologists to recommend chemo for me.

Even so, 5 years ago decisions like this would not have relied on Oncotype testing, because it wasn't readily available then.

Hugs...

otter 

Well, here is my story -

My stats are similar to yours - 1.6cm IDC, grade 2, 0/3 nodes and 44 years old with two kids 10 and 11 (almost 12).

I am in Seattle, and yes, the oncotype score was an important part of my decision.  My score was 23.  

My oncologist also said that my age made chemo important - if I were, say 55 and post menopause she would have been more comfortable with skipping chemo.

I also had two opinions, which were the same with the same chemo recommendations.

I would get a second opinion and try to get an oncotype test done.  I started chemo a month after my lumpectomy, so I would think you have a little time to make this decisoin.

Good luck with this - we are all here for you whatever you decide!

Susan

Definitely look into the Oncotype score as this will provide an extra bit of information for you and your docs to use as you make this decision.

My score was 14, which was on the lower side, but I also had 2 tumors, am BRCA 2 pos, and was 35 at dx.  All these pieces of info factored into the final decision.  I also got the opinions of 2 oncologists, who both suggested 4 rounds of AC, which I completed in Nov.

This is a very hard decision, so my heart goes out to you.  Do your research, get opinions, pray, think, talk, and then make your decision and don't look back.

For what it's worth, I don't understand why they MUST know next week.  You shouldn't feel so pressured...take your time and lessen the stress and look at your options.  Lots of good feedback here!  Good luck!

My oncologist was pro-chemo for me, as I'm also 42 year old.  Then my oncotype test result came back and she told me that I would ahve no benefit from doing chemo, so to skip it.  I was stunned by the sudden turn-aroud in my doctor's recommendation.  Was quite relieved, actually.

One would think Oncotype DX is commonly available world-wide by now.  What's up with that?

From the date of my surgery 8/8/08...I did not start chemo until 10/28/08.  Obviously it took me a while to decide but I did do CMF chemo and happy that I did.  Look to that thread under "Help me get thru treatment"