Anyone not do chemo and radiation

Options

I have IDC stage 2 no lymph, estro and pro positive, her2 neg, and I don't want to do chemo or radiatiion.  I had lumpectomy and snb in Septemeber.  I'm looking into alternative treatments.  Anyone have any ideas for other treatments?  Thanks.

Comments

  • cycle-path
    cycle-path Member Posts: 1,502
    edited October 2011
  • Beeb75
    Beeb75 Member Posts: 325
    edited October 2011

    Have your doctors said you should get chemo? Did you get an Oncotype test done? Or are you very young (under 40?) 

    I think it would be a bit risky to skip radiation after lumpectomy, since I think 40 percent of women get a recurrence if they don't do radiation. The odds are in your favor to not recur, but not by much.

    Are you doing hormonals? That would probably be the most helpful treatment for you since you are Er+ and Pr+.

    As far as I understand, there's no proof that alternative treatments do anything to prevent BC recurrence. One woman who went that route has been back on here in recently with a recurrence.

    I'd be cautious about choosing unproven treatments over proven ones. You might be one of the lucky ones already cured with surgery alone, but you might not. It's your decision. Good luck.  

  • mawhinney
    mawhinney Member Posts: 1,377
    edited October 2011

    It might be helpful if you made a list of the pros and cons for each  treatment. Rather than make an emotional decision, you need to rationally weigh the benefits and the drawbacks.  You want to pick the treatment course that will give you the best possible outcome. You are fighting for your life so you want to make decisions based on good, factual information. You may want to seek a 2nd and even a 3rd opinion from cancer specialists before making your treatment choice.  Take care.

  • jaydee40
    jaydee40 Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2011
  • Miles2Go
    Miles2Go Member Posts: 120
    edited October 2011

    If you live near a University/College Medical Center/Hospital, find out if there's an alternative medicine department.  Research local naturopathic healers.  I am listening to Surgeon, Oncologist, and Internist; however, am 99% sure I'm skipping Radiation, and other additional "therapies" due to being age 72 (side effects put me off) with early Stage 1a, no SNB metastatic cells, small tumor, etc.  I encourage you to listen to the beat of your own drummer, understanding there are no guarantees with any treatment.  Adapt your life to a healty lifestyle, adopt a Buddhist philosophy (every day may be my last~which leads to making the most of every day).  You have promises to keep and miles and miles to go.

  • anniedd
    anniedd Member Posts: 38
    edited October 2011

    I was diagnosed last November, had lumpectomy and SNB in February, nodes neg and margins clear however my tumour was slightly larger than yours. I declined chemo....I was going to go for the radiation but it was found i had lung cancer(not related to the breast cancer) and had lobectomy in June. I could not have radiation until all that was over and then was told that the  window for radiation was pretty well closed and no point doing it.Was disappointed that I did not get to make that decision. I am taking Femara now. Recently had lung scan and all is good, NED..having a mammogram in Nov.....I worry a bit about not having the radiation but so far so good...I am just taking it one day at a time......hopefully will not have recurrence, guess I will cross that bridge when i come to it......has been a tough year and I have felt like I am going crazy  at times but back at work, I am a nurse and seeing people with lots of other problems has really helped me now and sometimes it seems like it is all a dream....there are lots of things to think about....everyone is different as I have found out on these boards. Wishing you luck whatever you decide.....sorry you had to get this awful disease I always remember this one post saying Welcome to the Hotel California....you can check out any time you want but you can never leave....(The Eagles)......I don't post a lot but read every day......it helps a lot    

  • Miles2Go
    Miles2Go Member Posts: 120
    edited October 2011

    . At age 72, Other Shoe Dropping post-op.

     Diagnosis Ivasive Lobular CA, Stage 1b.  Pathological Staging N1mi.

    ü  Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (10% of the population, Early diagnosis)

    ü  Tumor Size 1.0cm (small)

    ü  Grade 1 (slow growing)

    ü  Estrogen Responsive (ER)  92% 

    ü  Progesterone Responsive (PR)  40%

    ü  KI67  10% Intermediate (low)

    ü  HER-2/neu - Not Amplified 

    ü  THE SURPRISE! Two Sentinel NodeBiopsies; one showing minimal micrometastases, 1.1mm

     ü   Clean Margins (1 cm)

    ü MX -  metastasis can't be evaluated.   Planning to pass on a full body scan.

    Gene expression OxcotypeDX ~ to be determined by test ordered 28 Oct 11

     So waiting for yet another shoe to drop.  Hugs to Everyone, Colorado Morning Glory with Miles and miles to go!

  • Miles2Go
    Miles2Go Member Posts: 120
    edited November 2011

    Hi Annie, How old are you may I ask?  You are right!  One step at a time. What I believe:  1)  You don't know until you know; and 2) Never mind second guessing.  Make choices, monitor and verify, then make more choices.  Hotel California, definitely!!!  "Dream" ~ oh Annie, you DO have a sense of humor; I'd have used the word Nightmare ;)  It's a gamble, because we're all so very unique and complex idividuals.  What is Femara doing for you?  There are many extenuating practical circumstances which are leading me to wait for the OxcotypeDX, yet leaning toward passing on radiation, chemotherapy, and anti-hormone therapy (I stopped HRT after 30 years the very day my oncologist calmly said, "I think you have a change of Stage 1 breast cancer."  Biopsied the next day, scheduled surgery the day after even before I met my surgeon (outstanding reputation preceded her).  Agree with you about this web site, the best of the best!   Remember to tuck the knowledge many people love and care about you under your pillow each night, Annie (including me, in Denver).   Hugs, Colorado Morning Glory

  • Miles2Go
    Miles2Go Member Posts: 120
    edited October 2011
    That should read chance of Stage 1...
  • anniedd
    anniedd Member Posts: 38
    edited October 2011
  • jaydee40
    jaydee40 Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2011

    Thanks again for all the information.  It is very difficult to make decisions about a course of treatment when the doctors, or at least the doctors that I have met with thus far, make me feel as if I'm going to die of breast cancer if I don't do their treatments, rads, chemo and ht.  I know many you are going through radiation, chemo, hormonal therapy and it must be very stressful and painful....  Going to the cancer center is hard.  I hate it.  Doctors don't, or again mine haven't, to me are the side affects of these treatments.  They down play it.  And when you get a complication from their treatment, as one doctor said to me, that is the unlucky one.    Thanks agains!

  • ILwoman
    ILwoman Member Posts: 9
    edited November 2011

    I was only prescribed Anastrozole hormone blocker, was not given an option about radiation or chemo.  Was told that radiation is given when there are 4-6 positive nodes or tumor in breast is >5cm, and that he will not recommend chemo, too many risks, since I'm past 70. (I'm 71, excellent health.)

    Oncotype score was 11.  Is there too much hype about Oncotype, or is that being used to avoid giving chemo?

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