Just wondering if there are others out there who have decided to say no to chemo? I've been researching and reading constantly and have no problem with accepting radiotherapy and hormone treatment for 5 years, just not chemo. I know the risks and the stats and know that if I make this decision I have to be at peace with it and accept any consequences. Have another visit with Oncologist next week and then i need to make a decision. I know this will horrify my family and friends and guess that's my main dilema, do I say yes for their sake or do what I want and not have the chemo? Any thoughts?

The decision re Chemo or not should ultimately be yours based on the info that you have about your situation. It is up to you what you say or how you explain it to friends and family. Maybe a way to approach this is to explain that for you the risks that chemo involves out weigh the very small benefit that could be gained. Explain that your surgery, radiotherapy and hormone therapy will give you an excellent chance of remaining cancer free and concentrate on this part of your message. The fact is that there is always a chance, even if you have chemo, that the cancer may return. There are no guarantees so our best way forward is to base decisions on all the info that relate to OUR specific situation. I find that I am constantly explaining that there are many different forms and stages of breast cancer and that my treatment was appropriate for me but may be quite different from other peoples. I guess even most of us don't understand that at first! Make your decision and if you are committed and at peace with it, most people will follow your lead. Good luck with it and take care. Deanne xxx

It all gets down to your pathology report and the type of cancer you have. Also the % that they throw at you. Mid 40's, grade 2, stage 2, 90%hormone positive, her2 neg with no node involvement. The deciding factor for my chemo was the low Ki-67 pathology results, which showed my cancer would not respond to chemo and that having ovaries removed and 5 years hormone treatment would be better. Just take on board everything your Onco tells you, get a second opinion YES YOU CAN GET A SECOND OPINION. Most don't do this, perhaps we are all in a state of disbelief, shock and are very vulnerable. We seem to be happy getting second opinion for plastic surgery but not from another Oncologist. I personally changed Oncologist because I found the first one very unprofessional and would say something totally different at each consultation. All the best on your choice. Candice

I agree wholeheartedly with what Deanne has said. Everyone of us is an unique individual and our breast cancers are also very individual. Make an informed decision based on what you want to do. When we are diagnosed our lives become about us not about pleasing those around us. Often this is a difficult balancing act but the love of those around us always prevails. Best wishes, Helen.

No to Chemo? | BCNA Online Network

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Deanne
Member
11 years ago
The decision re Chemo or not should ultimately be yours based on the info that you have about your situation. It is up to you what you say or how you explain it to friends and family. Maybe a way to approach this is to explain that for you the risks that chemo involves out weigh the very small benefit that could be gained. Explain that your surgery, radiotherapy and hormone therapy will give you an excellent chance of remaining cancer free and concentrate on this part of your message. The fact is that there is always a chance, even if you have chemo, that the cancer may return. There are no guarantees so our best way forward is to base decisions on all the info that relate to OUR specific situation. I find that I am constantly explaining that there are many different forms and stages of breast cancer and that my treatment was appropriate for me but may be quite different from other peoples. I guess even most of us don't understand that at first! Make your decision and if you are committed and at peace with it, most people will follow your lead. Good luck with it and take care. Deanne xxx

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No to Chemo?

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