When do you start counting?

Options
KTJ21
KTJ21 Member Posts: 20
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Hi all,

    I'm fairly new to the boards.  Been reading for months but never posted.  A very dear friend of mine (more like family, really) was diagnosed with TNBC (Stage IIIc, Grade 2) in late April.  Since no one close to me has ever had an encounter with cancer before, the whole idea of it was pretty terrifying.  To try to get around some of the ambiguous fear, I started scouring the internet for information and statistics, but even Google can't answer all questions...

    So anyway...  I've read on several sites that the highest risk of recurrunce for TNBC is within the first three years following dx, and that the risk drops significantly after five years.  My question is, when do you REALLY start counting?  Is it five years immediately following dx?  Is it five years after finishing chemo?  Or five years after finishing treatment altogether (including rads)?

    And just as a side note, may I say that the people on this site are so fantastic and supportive!  These boards have helped alleviate a lot of my own fears, and they have really helped me to avoid making those well-meaning but slightly insensitive comments.  The last thing I want to do is say the wrong thing, even though I know she would understand.  You guys are awesome.  (((HUGS)))

 -KT    

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Suze35
    Suze35 Member Posts: 1,045
    edited July 2011

    KT - my doctor counts from day of diagnosis. Some doctors use surgery date if adjuvant chemo is being done as opposed to neoadjuvant.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Robinsegg
    Robinsegg Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2011

    Is the day of diagnosis the day you have the biopsy? Or when you meet with the surgeon?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Suze35
    Suze35 Member Posts: 1,045
    edited July 2011

    Robinsegg - my doctor said date of biopsy. However, I am personally more comfortable saying date of surgery or start of chemo, whichever came first, because that is the day you start to actively get rid of the disease. I have not found a research study yet that is specific unfortunately.



    KT - I meant to say you are a wonderful friend! This is such a rough time for us, you are great for really being there for her. Hugs to you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jwatrlily
    Jwatrlily Member Posts: 211
    edited July 2011

    My Oncologist says the day of surgery as that is the day the cancerous tumor is removed.  I'll be 1 year on Aug. 9!!

    Juanita

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited July 2011

    My onc says date of diagnosis.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KTJ21
    KTJ21 Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2011

    Robinsegg - I was taking diagnosis to be the biopsy, but you're very right, even the term "diagnosis date" could be ambiguous.

    Suze35 - Thank you.  I really appreciate it!

    Thank you all for your responses!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • christina1961
    christina1961 Member Posts: 736
    edited July 2011

    My oncologist says date of diagnosis. I had neoadjuvant chemo that began 20 days following diagnosis.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited July 2011

    I am going more by the date of diagnosis.  I had IBC & Triple-neg and you are correct in that it is more likely to reoccor withing the first 2-3 years.  Then our odds improve dramatically at 5 years.  I just have 1.5 years to go! Hoping your friend does well in treatment. NJ

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ebann
    ebann Member Posts: 3,026
    edited July 2011

    I say the day   of when my tumor was removed. I had IBC (inflammatory breast cancer)  It was 12.5 cm tumor and it just stabilized the chemo did not shrink it. I made it to a year and half and got dx with bone mets then went into 4 month partial remission and now it is more of my bones and liver now. I am TN as will. The closer to 5 years the better it is. It does happen to many women to be cancer free. She is lucky to have a caring friend like you. Good for you to ask the  question. I think it is different for all cases. Many blessings

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories