We'll since my diagnosis I have had my right Brest removed. All nodes we're clear and clear margins around tumours. i live on the gold coast and I see the surgeon on the 21st October to find out what the next step is. I have done some research but want to be prepared when I have my appointment. I am going through the public system. Should I ask for a PET scan to see if cancer is anywhere else. I was given statistics at my last visit . Chemo and tablets increase my chances of survival to 91%. I am confused , is chemo used to prevent further cancer as well. I know everyone is different , are there some tests I should insist on having? I am willing to pay to have them. Any advice would be appreciated.

It's good news that you had clear margins and clear nodes. Did you have a CT scan and bone scan before your surgery? These are the usual scans to have to check that there is no cancer elsewhere. Chemo decreases your chance of recurrence because it kills any stray cells that may have travelled from the original tumor through the lymph or blood and stops them from reproducing to form a tumor elsewhere. It is very effective against microscopic cells that are not detectable on any scans. 91% is a very reassuring figure to be given. I hope this has answered your questions. I found reading the information about Chemo on this site very helpful in getting an understanding of how it works. You will also be able to ask the oncologist questions when you see them. I liked to try and understand the basics as it helped me to understand why certain treatments were needed. Take care and hope your next visit goes well. xx Deanne

I can only talk from my experience; i had clear margins and very small growth taken from lymph node-prior to a very discreet lumpectomy i had biospy after mammagram and dye inserted in breast to see which lymph nodes were possbily involved. My oncologist said the surgery did its job, but lets do radiation and more importantly hesaid medication was crucial. The three oncologists at the private hosptial gave advice to my surgeon to do chemotherapy but she referred me to an outside oncologist who said chemo was overused in my case, had its own risks and trouble, and would only give me an extra 1% where he said i was in the 90's anyway; he felt chemo was overdone and was very up to date with latest research. Im glad i can continue working and functioning and about to start radiation and my anxiety -which i can see can be a powerful influence--is decreased. My breast care nurse who i dont see anymore said she would go to my oncologist and that she would give similiar advice; however it does feel that certain treatment regimes are 'standard' and of course eevery ones situation is unique. great youare prepared for that appt!

Deanne said it perfectly - clear nodes and margins are the best outcome you could have after surgery - and a CT scan & bone scan are usually done beforehand to check for any visible signs of spread. I had the same scans, and followed breast surgery with chemo to mop up any stray cells. There was never any mention of a PET scan being necessary. I am also on the Gold Coast and have found the care here exceptional. Good luck with your next treatments, Michelle xxxx

Thanks Michelle! Yes I have been happy with the care at Robina.. I will ask why I haven't been offered the scand yet. Maybe they do them after surgery. Thanks for your help !

One month on | BCNA Online Network

11 Replies

TonyaM
Member
13 years ago
I'm fine now- my last bout of bc was 3yrs ago and my first bc was 10yrs ago.When it came back,it wasn't aggressive but just the same pathology as the first bc.It was still classed as early bc.I sometimes wonder if I should have had a mastectomy in the first place or had the other breast off at the same time as the last op.But you have to make decisions quickly and rely on your surgeon's advice.I try not to have regrets because I did what I thought was right for me at that time. Tonya xx
TonyaM
Member
13 years ago
I'm fine now- my last bout of bc was 3yrs ago and my first bc was 10yrs ago.When it came back,it wasn't aggressive but just the same pathology as the first bc.It was still classed as early bc.I sometimes wonder if I should have had a mastectomy in the first place or had the other breast off at the same time as the last op.But you have to make decisions quickly and rely on your surgeon's advice.I try not to have regrets because I did what I thought was right for me at that time. Tonya xx
mona63
Member
13 years ago
Although i dont know people directly; im glad that people have come up to me and said 'my mum had breast cancer 20 years ago and fine now' or mysister had breast cancer 10 years ago and fine etc

these are women who probably are not on this website!
mona63
Member
13 years ago
Although i dont know people directly; im glad that people have come up to me and said 'my mum had breast cancer 20 years ago and fine now' or mysister had breast cancer 10 years ago and fine etc

these are women who probably are not on this website!
Lana
Member
13 years ago
I will. Thanks for your help.
Michelle_R
Member
13 years ago
Hi Lana - it might be due to your Grade and Stage after your pathology results. It sounds like you had a very good outcome and they may have felt they weren't needed. Try not to worry. Let us know how you go. Michelle x
Lana
Member
13 years ago
Thanks Michelle! Yes I have been happy with the care at Robina.. I will ask why I haven't been offered the scand yet. Maybe they do them after surgery. Thanks for your help !
Michelle_R
Member
13 years ago
Deanne said it perfectly - clear nodes and margins are the best outcome you could have after surgery - and a CT scan & bone scan are usually done beforehand to check for any visible signs of spread. I had the same scans, and followed breast surgery with chemo to mop up any stray cells. There was never any mention of a PET scan being necessary.

I am also on the Gold Coast and have found the care here exceptional. Good luck with your next treatments, Michelle xxxx
mona63
Member
13 years ago
I can only talk from my experience; i had clear margins and very small growth taken from lymph node-prior to a very discreet lumpectomy i had biospy after mammagram and dye inserted in breast to see which lymph nodes were possbily involved. My oncologist said the surgery did its job, but lets do radiation and more importantly hesaid medication was crucial. The three oncologists at the private hosptial gave advice to my surgeon to do chemotherapy but she referred me to an outside oncologist who said chemo was overused in my case, had its own risks and trouble, and would only give me an extra 1% where he said i was in the 90's anyway; he felt chemo was overdone and was very up to date with latest research. Im glad i can continue working and functioning and about to start radiation and my anxiety -which i can see can be a powerful influence--is decreased. My breast care nurse who i dont see anymore said she would go to my oncologist and that she would give similiar advice; however it does feel that certain treatment regimes are 'standard' and of course eevery ones situation is unique. great youare prepared for that appt!
mona63
Member
13 years ago
I can only talk from my experience; i had clear margins and very small growth taken from lymph node-prior to a very discreet lumpectomy i had biospy after mammagram and dye inserted in breast to see which lymph nodes were possbily involved. My oncologist said the surgery did its job, but lets do radiation and more importantly hesaid medication was crucial. The three oncologists at the private hosptial gave advice to my surgeon to do chemotherapy but she referred me to an outside oncologist who said chemo was overused in my case, had its own risks and trouble, and would only give me an extra 1% where he said i was in the 90's anyway; he felt chemo was overdone and was very up to date with latest research. Im glad i can continue working and functioning and about to start radiation and my anxiety -which i can see can be a powerful influence--is decreased. My breast care nurse who i dont see anymore said she would go to my oncologist and that she would give similiar advice; however it does feel that certain treatment regimes are 'standard' and of course eevery ones situation is unique. great youare prepared for that appt!