Chemo or No Chemo 9% recurrance

I have a 12% recurrence score over 10 years and am at the low end of the intermediate risk.  My husband and I discussed chemo at length and in detail with the oncologist.  I finally chose to not do chemo.  I really am comfortable with my decision and my husband and oncologist are supportive.  I had a unilateral mastectomy because I didn't want to do rads. 

The important thing is that you make the decision that you are comfortable with.  I considered my family's concerns but in the end, I had to be able to live with my body so I made the final decision.  God Bless.

Hi blessed -  I was 44 when I was diagnosed with Stage 1 IDC in April of 2005. ER+++, PR+++,  Her2/neu - negative,  sentinal node biopsy negative.  My Oncotype DX score was a 19.  I choose to have a lumpectomy, rads, skipped chemo (with my oncologists support) and had a hysterectomy w/ ovary removal (many other factors involved in that decision).  I'm taking Arimidex and doing well.

It was a very hard and personal decision to make.  You will make the right decision for you ...     

Doreen  

blessed - what is your oncotype score ??  Have you considered enrolling in the TailorX trial ???    they are looking at the mid group of scores (actually the scores they are looking at include the high end of the low risk area and the low end of the high risk area in addition to the intermediate risk area on the chart that shows your oncotype results) -  they are randomizing participants in the study to do chemo - or not - and following the participants for up to 20 years.

Hugs,

Doreen  

My score was 12. 8% chance of recurrence. I chose not to do chemo. It would have brought it down to 5%. I was leaning toward chemo before I had this test. I did have radiation and a complete hysterectomy (get rid of those estrogen ovaries, I was 43 and premenopausal at the time). I am also on Femara (after a year on Arimidex, I may switch back).

Good luck

Lynne

My oncotype was 10 with a 7% risk of recurrance in next 10yrs.

I opted for no chemo as only a 1% benefit per my onc. I had bilateral mast and am taking zolodex shots and tamox.

Good luck with your decision.

Julie

Carol..the oncotype test, I believe, is for hormone positive receptors. Generally speaking, for triple negatives, (I was triple neg IDC) the only treatment other than rads is chemo. And it appears that chemo works best on triple negs. You should speak to your doctor about this...

HI



My oncotype was 11 with an 8% chance of recurrance with hormonal therapy alone. My doc said chemo would lower it 1% more, so we decided to do radiation and arimedex. I have seven weeks of radiation and start next tuesday. Hopefully, this was the right decision!

Hello Solwoman xx

I know exactly how you are feeling with decisions about chemo. Nobody can make the choice for you...it is so difficult.

 None of my nodes were negative but my tumour was triple negative so I don't have many choices as to what treatment I have.

All I do know is that in months to come I would have been worrying if I hadn't done chemo. I am only one treatment in and still don't want to do it....but given the choice I would rather give it my best....in exchange for a few bad months ....(whatever the outcome might be)

I know how you feel....  You are right to get a second opinion...everything helps xxx

My doctors all recommended chemo .... because of my age more than anything .....

Much Love xxx

My oncotype score was 12, I was stage 1, estrogen pos. no lymph nodes. Had unilateral mastectomy with tissue expander at time of surgery, just doing tamoxifen. I was part of the tailorx trial. I was randomized to do only tamoxifen. My husband and surgeon, as well as myself am comfortable with not doing chemo. Good luck to you and god bless you. Keep strong and remember you have alot of web friends supporting you. Keep in touch. Phyllis

How do you get a score?

Malady -  Is your pathology Estrogen positive ? and node negative ?   Have any of your doctors mentioned the Oncotype DX test ?? If not -  I'd ask your doctors about this test and tell them that you'd like to have this test done.  It's an expensive test -  many insurance companies are covering it -  and the company that does the testing -  Genomic Health -  helps with appeals to your insurance company decides that the test is not covered by your plan. 

Keep us posted.  There's also a trial - the TailorX trial - that you can consider enrolling in. 

Doreen  

I am HER2 Negative, Node Negative as well.    My tumour was 1.4 cm and had not spread anywhere.    Everything was clean.   My Oncologist said I should have chemo followed by radiation but I am thinking of declining this.

My lymph nodes were free of cancer (negative) and my estrogen was also negative

Malady -  Is your progesterone also negative ??   If so - your breast cancer is what's commonly called  triple-negative  -   triple-negative cancers seem to benefit most from chemo ... there's a whole discussion group here specifically on triple-negative.

Doreen