Forum Discussion
Further treatment?
hello ladies
i'm 27 and was diagnosed with early breast cancer almost one month ago. i've just returned home from hospital where i had a bilateral skin sparing mastectomy. my skin was healthy enough to have implants directly instead of expanders. my prognosis is quite good. the lump was 1.5 cm with both estrogen and progesteron receptors 95% strong, HER2 negative. a larger ~5cm mass they thought could be cancerous in the same breast was completely clear and my lymph nodes are clear and other breast completely clear. my medical team are not recommending radiation but they are pushing chemo and they keep saying "because you're so young". im meeting with the oncologist tomorrow but was hoping to get some advice from anyone out there in a similar situation. i am so against chemotherapy especially since i AM so young. besides this cancer i am so healthy and feel like i will just ruin my body by doing chemo. is there anyone out there who has refused treatment? thank you xo
13 Replies
- I found the first article interesting @primek. Thank you for posting it. The others were too! But the first one had new info for me :)
- This discusses the latest info on oncotype dx testing and recurrence.
https://www.afr.com/news/policy/health/rule-out-chemotherapy-for-early-breast-cancer--but-first-take-a-5000-test-20180604-h10xi5 - I found this recently and felt it's a great resource. It really explains those long delayed recurrences. Being younger means this could be in your 40s or 50s rather than 70s or 80s and why they would recommend chemo.
https://www.cancer.net/blog/2017-05/understanding-risk-late-recurrence-breast-cancer
Oncotype dx testing might be an idea also. It costs a few thousand but a better predictor of recurrence and if chemo is of benefit.
Details of this is below.
https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/breast-cancer-pathology/
However chemo should start within 6 weeks of surgery so your time frames are tight to explore options of testing if chemo would help.
Kath x - @dawnc You might be able to help here as I remember you posting something similar recently. If you feel able of course. K xox
- @s_v
on the back of the conversation above from @Sister here is a publication that you will find beneficial.
https://www.bcna.org.au/media/3685/bcn1189_fertility_booklet_2016_online.pdf - Sorry about the spelling - my phone is driving me crazy!!!!
- Sister said:I believe the reason they advise chemo when you're young is that there is a lot more time for any escapee cells to take up residence. I'm guessing for you there may be issues around not wanting to shut down hormone production, permanently as well. Find out from your once exactly why chemo is being suggested and what it's likely to add to your survival stats.Thank you for your response, Sister :)
- I believe the reason they advise chemo when you're young is that there is a lot more time for any escapee cells to take up residence. I'm guessing for you there may be issues around not wanting to shut down hormone production, permanently as well. Find out from your once exactly why chemo is being suggested and what it's likely to add to your survival stats.
