Oncotype DX score of 21....chemo or not?

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kec1972
kec1972 Member Posts: 269
edited February 2019 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hi Ladies,

I just got home from my MO where I learned my Oncotype DX score was 21. I am 46 and have stage 1, grade 2, node negative, highly ER and PR positive, HER2 negative disease. I had a lumpectomy with clear margins 5 weeks ago, and am due to start radiation soon, plus tamoxifen. My MO quoted me a potential benefit of 3-5% with doing chemo. My initial reaction was that is not much of a benefit and I'm not sure it would outweigh the potential long and short term risks of chemo. My MO said I'm literally right on the line and said it's up to me. Any thoughts/advice?

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  • CharSue1
    CharSue1 Member Posts: 11
    edited February 2019

    Hello

    If I were you, I wouldn’t even consider it. My score was 20 and I was elated! Chemo is a huge risk for other things to gowrong and for a 3% benift I do not think it’s worth it. Chemo is SO brutal to your body. You’re lucky you caught it in time. Be better to your body🙏

    I’ve changed my diet dramatically and exercising 5 days a week. I’m going to start yoga soon and try to LIVE🙌😂 it’s so hard after being pinged with cancer to move on but time really does heal everything 🙏

    Happy healing,

    Sue

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  • kec1972
    kec1972 Member Posts: 269
    edited February 2019

    Thanks for your words Sue! I decided against it. The 5% potential benefit was not worth the risk of poisoning my body. I’m starting rads soon, then tamoxifen. My 62 year old aunt was diagnosed 20 years ago, had only lumpectomy and rads, no hormone blockers(she declined), and is doing great at 82! So I’m trying to keep that in mind. :

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  • CharSue1
    CharSue1 Member Posts: 11
    edited February 2019

    that’s a relief to hear because I declined the hormone blockers too! Good for you to coming to a decision that you’re happy with.

    Stay positive

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  • ZEKE
    ZEKE Member Posts: 65
    edited February 2019

    Hi Kec1972,

    I am in the decision stage also. My tumor was 0.7 cm

    Clear margins, no cancer in the 5 lymph nodes they removed I can have hormone therapy and radiation.

    All was going great until the onco score came back at 41.

    They are giving me 15%more chance of it not coming back if I do chemo. But they said no guarantees. I am leaning towards not getting the chemo, doing the radiation and hormone therapy and changing my diet with more excersise.

    I am also going for a second opinion. You poison your body with chemo

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