Invasive Duct Carcinoma

kytylove- its a totally personal decision.  And everyone has a different opinion.  I'm doing chemo and for me, my thought process was...what if one, tiny floater cell got away?  What if i DON'T do chemo and end up with a reoccurance because i didn't do everythng i could do?  I would HATE to do this twice, knowing i could have killed it now.  And i plan to live a long- long time...knock on wood!  Now my story is different than yours...and we're ALL different.  I'm 40 with a 2 cm IDC, 2 nodes, grade 3.  I chose lumpectomy & rads over mast- its more what we do in Canada.  And for me, chemo was a no-brainer- i want to do everything i can do to kill this freaking thing DEAD...no ifs ands or buts...but that's me.  

Do you know what kind of chemo you'd be on?  With a grade 3, chemo is pretty dang effective if you do have a floater(s)- chemo goes after fast multiplying cells- like grade 3.  I'm on dose dense (every 2 weeks) AC-T...its prety harsh but aside from losing my hair...i do just fine...no worries.  I just had AC #3 yesterday and its all good...but i'm one of the lucky ones.  Some people have a worse time than others but almost ALL OF US will tell you, if you decide to do chemo, it is TOTALLY DOABLE.  Its not like the old days where you vomited for days- actually, with the meds we have now, its pretty rare.  Some people have side effects but they are manageable.  I'm working full time through treatment and a lot of people do...but a lot choose to take time off, too. 

Its all about you and your decisions and i wish you luck.  Chemo or no is a really tough choice for a lot of people...and remember stats are just that...stats.  And you're betting your life on them.  Make sure you're VERY comfortable with your choice...for instance how would you feel if you did have a reoccurance or a met?  Would you be ok with the fact then that you didn't do chemo?  Did you do the onco type test? What does your medical team say?  If you're in the US, did you get a second (or third) opinion?  How does your family feel- although ultimately, the decision is yours...and its a sucky decision to have to make...just like pretty much everything else about bc.  Again, i wish you luck and a great outcome, whatever you choose.  Shannon

Hi there.  Just got my onco score.  It is 25. I am stage 2, grade 3, 0 nodes, 2.2 cm tumor removed via lumpectomy.  They are strongly pushing chemo.  My risk of distant recurrence with tamoxifen, rads and no chemo is 16%, which the chemo supposedly would reduce to 10%.  I am having a hard time believing in chemo for an improved 6% chance. They say they are very aggressive these days with young women with cancer (I am 38).  I just don't know what to do.  Hate the idea of poisoning my body but certainly dont want to make the wrong choice.

Anyone have any advice?

thanks

curly

kytylove... if you're not sure about chemotherapy, then it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion - and a third, if need be - to help you clarify whether- or not it's really going to be the right decision for you.  With your young age and high grade, I can understand why your doctor would recommend it.  But the numbers you've been given for each choice are very good.  Unfortunately, even with an additional opinion or two, it's probably going to come down to a personal decision.

One thing I will say is, once you've made your choice, then try not to look back or second-guess yourself.  As you pointed out, quality-of-life may, well, be worth the 4% difference for you given your prognosis.