Hi all I saw the Medical Oncologist today and got a shock. He is saying I should have Chemo. I went in there with my husband, both of us expecting to talk about hormone therapy, side effects, participation in a local clinical trial; not a thought of chemotherapy ( I am ER/PR 100% +ve, HER -ve, Stage 2, Gr 2, no lymph node involvement and no indications of metasases on bone scan, X-rays and U/S.) The Medical Oncologist did not even discuss hormone therapy except to say - "Oh yes you will have that" - he just launched into " Well for your cancer, I would recommend chemotherapy at this dose and this frequency..." This does not feel right and I would like to be able to intelligently discuss this with another Medical Oncologist for a second opinion. I have been reading the literature and current guidelines but cannot get a definitive idea of the odds of recurrence/LT survival with and without Chemo on top of hormones and radiotherapy. Do any of you know of any good recent literature that looks at this? Hope you are all going OK. Cheers Karen

Your diagnosis is exactly as mine was.I also was surprised and shocked to be told I should have chemo,but my oncologist ,who is very well regarded in her field,and who I trust implicitly,explained to me that chemo in my instance is proven to help prevent any further problems.For me,the percentage was big enough to warrant having chemo. I can't remember the exact figure now.So I have had surgery,followed by chemo,and now I am on Tamoxifen.My chemo was 4 rounds of Docetaxel,and I didn't find it too bad.I am 5 months past chemo now and I feel great.I also feel satisfied that I did everything I was advised to ,to give me good health further down the track.All the best with what you decide.xoxRobyn

You can ask your oncologist for the statistics for people with a similar diagnosis. I did this at my first appointment and this helped me to understand what difference chemo and hormone therapy would make to my chance of recurrence. For me the difference was 20% for chemo and then 30% for hormone therapy. My pathology was different to yours as I had lymph node involvement. She wrote all this information down for me along with the info about the type of chemo etc. If you are not happy with the reasoning behind the recommendation for chemo, it might be a good idea to get a second opinion. Chemo is a major treatment and you have a right to understand what you will be achieving by putting yourself through it. Hope you can get an answer. Deanne xxx

I read your post and it took me back almost a year ago. I thought I was just having radiation and was a peace with that and then wham we recommend chemo. itwas such a blow but like Robyn my onc explained percentages and I too thought I would give myself what ever chances I could. Unfortunately I had issues with chemo, it wasn't pleasant but now 12 months post chemo its a blur. Yes it was unpleasant but I managed and most seem to sail through better than I did. Good luck, I hope that you are like Robyn without too many issues. Donna

I also had Stage 2, Grade 2 - had left breast mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy (all clear margins and no spread to node). This was only in December 2013, so still pretty recent. Estrogen positive, progestrogen negative - I am on Tamoxifen - only "treatment" other than the initial surgery. Didn't have radiation or chemo. Had previously had large dose of radiation to neck region (with a wide field) for invasive thyroid cancer (in 2010) - therefore specialists (3 that I still see for the neck stuff and now for breast stuff) felt it wouldn't be wise for me to have more to the area - the breast cancer was just within the radiation field from previous treatment. The same doctors discussed chemo and felt that, in my case, the negatives would outweigh the positives and would only make about a 2% difference in my overall 10 year survival - so also didn't have that. They did say they are going to keep "me under a microscope so I don't present them with any more little surprises" - having regular checks/tests/etc with all of them. I see one of them at least every 2 - 3 months (not including extra stuff they send me for and then phone me with results). I have been going fine and doing well. I consider myself one of the lucky ones as I haven't had to go through what is seen as the "normal course of treatment" - none of my medical history has been normal - just not me I guess! LOL I also had a brain tumour in 2002 so the question was raised by my doctors if I should consider genetic testing (having had 3 cancers). A refferal has gone in for this to be done. In the meantime I just figure there is no point in worrying myself about things that may or may not happen. I have survived so far and will keep going on and on and on - Wishing you all the best - no matter what you decide. Remember you do have choices - make the one that you feel is right for you. Tracy xxx

Chemo - yes or no? | BCNA Online Network

25 Replies

mgndam1603
Member
12 years ago
I read your post and it took me back almost a year ago. I thought I was just having radiation and was a peace with that and then wham we recommend chemo. itwas such a blow but like Robyn my onc explained percentages and I too thought I would give myself what ever chances I could.

Unfortunately I had issues with chemo, it wasn't pleasant but now 12 months post chemo its a blur. Yes it was unpleasant but I managed and most seem to sail through better than I did.

Good luck, I hope that you are like Robyn without too many issues.

Donna
Deanne
Member
12 years ago
You can ask your oncologist for the statistics for people with a similar diagnosis. I did this at my first appointment and this helped me to understand what difference chemo and hormone therapy would make to my chance of recurrence. For me the difference was 20% for chemo and then 30% for hormone therapy. My pathology was different to yours as I had lymph node involvement. She wrote all this information down for me along with the info about the type of chemo etc. If you are not happy with the reasoning behind the recommendation for chemo, it might be a good idea to get a second opinion. Chemo is a major treatment and you have a right to understand what you will be achieving by putting yourself through it. Hope you can get an answer. Deanne xxx
Robyn_W
Member
12 years ago
Your diagnosis is exactly as mine was.I also was surprised and shocked to be told I should have chemo,but my oncologist ,who is very well regarded in her field,and who I trust implicitly,explained to me that chemo in my instance is proven to help prevent any further problems.For me,the percentage was big enough to warrant having chemo. I can't remember the exact figure now.So I have had surgery,followed by chemo,and now I am on Tamoxifen.My chemo was 4 rounds of Docetaxel,and I didn't find it too bad.I am 5 months past chemo now and I feel great.I also feel satisfied that I did everything I was advised to ,to give me good health further down the track.All the best with what you decide.xoxRobyn

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