hello ladiesi'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

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-cancerOncotype 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

Hi! Your question is a very personal choice that needs due consideration and advice from the specialists. To help you before you go and see the Oncologist here is a link from the BCNA website so that you can have a better understanding of Chemohttps://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/chemotherapy/also there is a group for younger people that you may be interested to joinhttp://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/10-young-womenTake care

s_v said: Thank you for the link iserbrown :) i will read through it looks very helpful. Ive been trying to join the young women group all day and it's being glitchy - i will keep trying! If you can't get onto the Young Womens Group ring BCNA and they will help you through

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.

@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

Further treatment? | BCNA Online Network

kmakm
Member
7 years ago
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 :)
primek
Member
7 years ago
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
primek
Member
7 years ago
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
s_v
Member
7 years ago

kmakm said:

@dawnc You might be able to help here as I remember you posting something similar recently. If you feel able of course. K xox

Thank you kmakm! would love to hear from dawnc if they're up to it :)
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@dawnc You might be able to help here as I remember you posting something similar recently. If you feel able of course. K xox
iserbrown
Member
7 years ago
@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
Sister
Member
7 years ago
Sorry about the spelling - my phone is driving me crazy!!!!
s_v
Member
7 years ago

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 :)
Sister
Member
7 years ago
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.
iserbrown
Member
7 years ago

s_v said:

Thank you for the link iserbrown :) i will read through it looks very helpful. Ive been trying to join the young women group all day and it's being glitchy - i will keep trying!

If you can't get onto the Young Womens Group ring BCNA and they will help you through