TNBC BRCA 1 Shall I have FEC chemo Help

52dee: While I strongly hesitate to advise anyone on a medical decision (other than ask your doc plenty of probing questions and go with your gut!), I will take a crack at this. Your tumour was found, on pathology report, to be invasive... have I got that right? If so, from what I know of the ladies on this forum, TN tumours, unless very small, are nearly always treated with chemo... and FEC (equivalent to AC-T in the US) seems to be the standard of care. Chemo has been shown to be more effective against high-grade cancers like TN (than ER+), so perhaps your onc is referring to some general population numbers rather than TN. You might try out cancermath.net  http://www.lifemath.net/cancer/breastcancer/therapy/index.php and plug in your own stats. Check out TNBC Foundation too for good info. Then have another discussion with your doc. 

Hi52Dee,

Like Luah I am very reluctant to give advice so here is what I did: I was stage 1: 1.2 cm; no nodal involvement. My first MO told me what your MO said, that is it early, small, stage 1 so little benefit from chemo but my decision. She encouraged me to do chemo which I did not want.

So, I had my case go to the Tumour Board were the multidisciplinary team did not advice chemo. Two different pieces of advice.  

I changed my MO and went to at triple neg specialist who advices me to do FECX3 and then taxotereX3. I followed her advice. The worst for me were infusions 1 and 2 of the FEC. I had a pic line to protect my vains. Following chemo, I had rads.  

I am delighted that I did chemo. At least I know that if I get reoccurance or in the short term die from this awful disease, it will not be because I did not do everything within reason to prevent a reoccurance.

Don't know if this helps. It is an awful and scary journey, and I wish you as much ease as is possible as move through the different stages.  

Hi,

I had been an occasional surfer of this site but reading your post I have had to join!!  I am brca1 similiar background to you. 56 now but 52 when diagnosed with trip neg basal multifocal and dcis that had broken through.  I had the surgery, but I was told that even though the tumours were small 14mm and 7mm and the dcis which was grade 3 28mm  that because of the aggressiveness I should have the double mastecomy as more than likely within 6 months it would be in the other breast.  I had already had the ovaries out when I was 36 because of ca125 tests that skyrocketted.  The Fec was highly recommended because those little tumours had already hit the blood stream and they wanted to make sure they had knocked them out to stop more tumours popping up in other places. I had a super onc who is doing research on brca mutations so I decided I didn't want to take any chances and did the fec.  And guess what?  I am still fine.  It is 4 years now and I am still here and fine.  I just had to tell you.  The fec was a bit hard but I had a port put in my chest so no probs with the veins and I had nulasta shots after chemo to keep me well.  It is a big decision and only you can make it but I just wanted to let you know that there is someone who had a great result.  And I am Australian but I am in Winchester UK having a nice relaxing time with my son and his wife who have immigrated to your country. Good luck with everything I wish you well and will be thinking of you

52dee: Sorry to hear you'r ehaving such a hard time. Are you doing 6 sessions of FEC? Or are you switching to 3 sessions of taxotere - Fec(3)-D(3) is a common regimen, that's why I ask - and some women find taxotere to be much easier (and some find it worse). By all means, let your onc know all the SEs you are having - he/she should be able to help.