Looking for those who chose not to do chemo

I'm no expert, and I've yet to get to this point, but for a 3% difference, it would be a no brainer for me...no chemo.  I don't like the thought of putting any poison in my body.  I've taken care of myself and remained healthy over the years, taking very few prescription medications, and certainly no type of mood or mind altering drugs, no smoking, and little or no alcohol.  I would opt to fight hard with nutrition and lifestyle changes.  

Do your research about chemo and your type of bc, and also explore natural therapies that will lower the risk of a recurrance.  You can then make an informed decision, and don't have to be afraid to challenge the oncologist, if necessary.

I'm only just beginning my journey...my appointment with my bc specialist is tomorrow to see how we proceed.  

All the best to you. 

I turned chemo down for a 6% benefit. My oncotype score was 4. I see you are BRAC1+. I don't know much about this or if it would have changed my decision. I'm not a real big believer in the"natural" "supplement" treatments. I am taking Tamoxifen, never been overweight, eat fairly healthy(but there is really no agreeable definition of this). Since I don't know what caused my BC, I don't know what to change.

it was a hard decision for me. At first my MO wouldn't order the test. Hope your reach a decision soon.

I am 42 was just diagnosed in July with IDC grade 2, stage 1 ER/PR+ HER2- 0 lymph involvement.  I had a double mastectomy on September 7th, 2011.  My BRAC1 and 2 came back negative and my Oncotype score was 9.  I was told by my Oncologist that chemo would in all likely hood not benefit me.  I am taking tamoxifen and swtiched my diet over to vegan when I was diagnosed.  Doing the whole alkaline diet.  Not sure if you've heard of that, all though I am pretty sure anyone diagnosed with cancer has heard of it.  If you haven't heard of that run out and buy crazy sexy cancer.  Very funny book and then she has a book called Crazy Sexy Cancer Diet.  Pretty much though you can google Alkaline diet to get an idea about it.  There is a lot of merit to it.  Some of the oral dose chemo drugs do just what that diet does, creat an alakaline environment in your body so that cancer cannot survive.  Anyway, sorry if it seemed like I got on my soap box for a second.  I was a little scared not doing the chemo because I had mentally prepared myself for it so I did my own research and this makes me feel like I have some control.  

I have similar stats...oncotype was 17.  I did opt for chemo though.  Main reasons I chose chemo were:  one med onc said no to chemo and one said I should consider it.  I had lymphavascular invasion present in my tumor indicating there was potential pathway established for cells to travel by blood.  I was 45 with a 4 year old son.  I also had BMX.  It was a hard decision but I am glad I did it.  I had 4 rounds of TC and used cold caps to keep my hair.  I am 5 months post chemo and doing great. 

Nicole,

Just take your time and you will decide the right thing for you personally.  For me one more thing that made my decision clear was that I had always been an exerciser and I ate healthy.  I do not carry extra body weight at all and I am a fitness instructor.  I still got BC doing all I did to be healthy for years.  I have also made a more intense committment to my health after diagnosis.  I have removed my major stress (job), eliminated processed foods/hormones/BPA etc...from my diet.  I have been trying to follow the Anti Cancer book's recommendations.  I also have removed chemicals from my make up and body care products.  I am changing cookware soon too.  I don't know if any of this will make a difference or not, but I am going to try.  I am glad to hear you are also making necessary changes.  I hope you come to a peaceful decision and move one and get through the next phase - whatever it is.  Best of luck!

Naturally,

I know just how you feel about chemo. For my Stage 1, 1.7 (Est/Prog+ lobular no node involvement) I chose just to have lumpectomy and radiation and hormone therapy. I was told chemo would give me 1, maybe 2%, no guarantees. Docs were pushing it, but I just couldn't do it.I wasn't convinced it was necessary in my case, and I was worried about long term side effects.(And I know for many patients in different situations, it's plusses outweigh its minuses)

6.5 yrs later I have DCIS w/ suspicious microinvasion in same breast. 2 surgeons say its a new primary- which I believe would mean chemo wouldn't have mattered. 1 said it was a recurrence, which mean it would have??? I don't have regrets.

 Now I'm having the Mx. 

I respect everyone's decision.  Best wishes with yours!

Hi Naturally, I was 45 at my first dx. I had a LS mastectomy, ER/PR+Her2- 0/25 nodes. My BC was considered stage II, because of the tumor size. I had chemo A/C followed with 2 years of tamoxifen. I was fine for 8.5 years. The cancer came back, first locally, then to lung, bones, and some other thoracic areas.
Why am I telling you all this? Well, I believe, had I not gone on chemo the cancer would probably have come back earlier. I enjoyed 8.5 yrs with NED. The chemo (only 3 months) was much easier for me to take than the hormone tx with tamoxifen. The SE from the tamoxifen caused me to quit after 2 years, 3 yrs before the recommended time.
Your treatment plan is a very personal decision. I just wanted to let you know, I never regretted that I went on chemo.

Good luck and hugs,
Helmie

naturally:  If you are comfortable with the decision you have made, then it was the right one.  I wish you all the best!

Similar diagnosis, I chose the most aggressive treatment, mastectomy and chemo, I am glad of my decision, I was your age, I saw children became adults, finish college, became a grandmother.

No regrets.

I have been dx for the fourth time with breast cancer, but this time idc, her2+++ and estrogen at 96% and progestrone at 32% positive. The surgeon suggested tamoxifen, chemo and herpectin.

This is the third dx on the right breast, three strikes and it's out. In the near future I'll have a mx with reconstruction on the infected breast. At the moment, unless there is evidence the cancer has spread beyond the breast I am not doing chemo or herpectin. I am hoping by removing the cancer that it is no longer in me. I can't wrap my head around brutal therapies for preventive treatments.

Last March I was dx with invasive ductal mucinious breast cancer on the left breast. Radiation was suggested by the doctor. Again, I chose to forgo because it is such a slow growing tumor that rarely goes beyond the breast.

I am comfortable with my choices. I know the latest dx is the toughest, but again, I can't do treatment for preventive measures....but if it is more I will have to wrestle with tougher choices.  Whatever you choose there is risk...you have to decide what risk factors you want to live with.

Stephen Jobs could comment if his cancer was 'breast' and if he was still alive.  I personally think (from what I've read and researched) that aggressive as possible treatment early in the game is the way to go.There is a natural, alternative medicine forum with women who are doing quite well with their decisions to go naturally.

you so WANT to kill the cancer, with no chance of it rearing it's ugly head again any time soon.

if you do decide to go O-natural, get in touch with your body.  check your nodes all thruout often, and be away of any unusual pains or changes in bodily function.  again, that natural forum is pretty helpful.  I read there all the time.

My oncologist did not provide a choice about chemo, said he didn't recommend it since I am 71 years of age!  That's the first time the "A" word has been used regarding my health care.  I am in excellent health, heart is great (I'm told).  My oncotype score is 11.

Arimidex/Anastrozole was prescribed and that was the only recommendation.

I am going to seek a second opinion. 

It seems that it was totally based on age, said he does not recommend chemo for people over 70 because of side effects.

Chemotherapy was not recommended for me and while my oncotype was 28 the report said chemo would be of no help to me. I was 62 at diagnosis but my doctor assured me that my age had nothing to do with his recommendation. He said the slow growth nature of my tumor ( low mitosis score) made chemo not effective against it. And my high ER+ score made me a better candidate for estrogen suppression. I was glad to be excused from chemo!