Treatment or not

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Bluebird_18
Bluebird_18 Member Posts: 12
edited April 2018 in Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity

good afternoon all… I am brand new to this community and still in a little bit of shock as to what is going on. I found a lump in my left breast in January. Long story short I've had a lumpectomy and a follow up “cleanup“ and now faced with what treatments I should consider . I'm postmenopausal so I would possibly be on an aromatase Inhibitor and possible radiation. The side effects of both are terrifying to me. I have the best case scenario being both estrogen and progesterone positive and HER2 negative. Stage one grade one with 3 clean sentinel lymph nodes.

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited March 2018

    You can try running your scenario through the Predict calculator http://www.predict.nhs.uk/predict_v2.0.html

    & then take that to your team. They should be able to present any calculations that they're using for the risk/benefit analysis & possible outcomes of any treatments they're proposing.

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited March 2018

    Hi Bluebird. I totally get where you're at, and I can only tell you that most of us have been just as worried but then have had treatment with minimal side effects. Have you met with a radiation oncologist yet? If you are stage one with clean nodes you may be able to do just three or four weeks of radiation instead of six, with the reduced risk of side effects that brings. And if you're post-menopausal like me, the side effects of Tamoxifen or an AI are about the same as regular old menopause; for me at least it's been no better but no worse. What treatment and side effects are most of concern?


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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited March 2018

    You dont state your age, but since you're postmenopauseal an AI will probably be offered. I'm postmenopausal, as well, and I've been on Femara/letrozole for 2 years. I've had very few SEs. I already had arthritis in my hands, feet, and knees, so those places are stiff and sore. But i dont think they are any worse with the AI.

    Talk to the radiation oncologist and see what they have to offer. Talk with a medical oncologist and see what they suggest. Everyone comes to BC with a different experience. My BC was stage 1, but considered more aggressive due to being PR-. It was important to me to do anything possible to treat it and nothing was off the table until i talked with those doctors.

    The important thing is to educate yourself. Then make the best decision you can with the resources you have available. Once you've made your decision, don't look back.

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  • Bluebird_18
    Bluebird_18 Member Posts: 12
    edited April 2018

    Hi Moth,

    Thanks so much for your response....I entered my data and basically I don't really understand the results, but I THINK it's all good!

    All the best,

    Bluebird_18

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  • Bluebird_18
    Bluebird_18 Member Posts: 12
    edited April 2018

    Hi Mustlovepoodles,

    Thanks so much for your reply....I've got a second opinion in the works and I'll most likely go to Boston for a third. All frustrating but I'm grateful but crabby!

    All the best,

    Bluebird_18

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited April 2018

    Bluebird, you're allowed to be crabby here. Definitely get the second opinion. I did, and it completely changed every aspect of my treatment. I do not regret it. I did everything possible to prevwnt recurrance. And now, we wait...

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