hi alli had mastectomy on 21st December- it was lobular 55mm and multiple lesionsas a result I definitely need radiotherapy and hormone blocker however they are suggesting I also have chemo due to size and multiple but I am not sure whether to do this as well or not as only improves outcome by about 6-7% and obviously concerned about side effectshas anyone else been in this position and what did you decide? Have the weekend to decide and if I go ahead with chemo I start next Friday hoping someone can give some suggestions!

Dear Coops,I had the lot. (click on my name for my profile and more info re me)I would do it again, as I like to think that I have thrown everything at my cancer.I have been very lucky and not had bad side effects of Chemo.I did have side effects, but manageable.Ask about Cold Cap treatment if you would like to try to keep your hair.I kept my hair, and had my eyebrows tattooed prior to Chemo.All the best, stay in touch.

Dear @Coops A lot happening in a short time and it can be hard to know what’s best. Chemo is a daunting thought for anyone, we’d all prefer not to do it. If it was me (Mastectomy and axillary clearance, one lymph node positive), I’d do it - 6-7 percent doesn’t sound much but as my surgeon said, every percentage point counts. Most people get some comfort from doing everything they can to ensure that go through bc once! Chemo stretches ahead alarmingly but once started, you are on your way to the end of it. Best wishes.

Hi @Coops,I'm backing up behind Afraser: I had a lumpectomy in 2017, followed by chemo, radiotherapy and on-going hormone treatment. You will read on this BCNA network that people experience a wide range of side-effects and serverity of side-effects from chemo ranging from 'walk in the park' to ....... well....... 'truly horrible'. I had very minor side-effects and no on-going problems. I agree that 6-7% difference is not be sneezed at. You do get to the end of it. If your onc. is suggesting chemo, rather than just offering, I would take that quite seriously; but ask lots of questions. And you will get lots of support from others in the network who truly understand what you are going through.from jennyss in Western NSW

Thank you so much for your input and I am feeling much more comfortable with my decision now to go ahead-that was my gut feeling and I believe as women we should usually follow our I sti ctsgood luck and thank you again

Hi @Coops, I was diagnosed with ILC in December 2019 - Just under 5cm. At first, my surgeon thought that I may be on the border for chemo, but after talking to the oncologist, I decided on chemo as that was his recommendation given the size. I did neo-adjuvant chemo (4 x AC, 12 x taxol) and handled it all pretty well - I did not experience many side effects and whatever I did have, I could manage. My benefit numbers were similar and I decided it was worth it. My breast care nurse also said to me to ‘throw everything at it’ and that was in my mind too. I know how hard it is when you ultimately have to make the decision.I had a BMX - my decision - and I am now taking an AI. Pathology showed I had clear nodes and clear margins. I had to decide on radiation as the radiation oncologist said he was ‘comfortable if I did and comfortable if I didn’t’. 😯 I weighed everything up and decided not to. I made my decision after speaking with each of my surgeons and I am comfortable with what I decided. All the best with your decision.

Chemo decision | BCNA Online Network

jennyss
Member
5 years ago
Hi @Coops,
I'm backing up behind Afraser: I had a lumpectomy in 2017, followed by chemo, radiotherapy and on-going hormone treatment. You will read on this BCNA network that people experience a wide range of side-effects and serverity of side-effects from chemo ranging from 'walk in the park' to ....... well....... 'truly horrible'. I had very minor side-effects and no on-going problems. I agree that 6-7% difference is not be sneezed at. You do get to the end of it. If your onc. is suggesting chemo, rather than just offering, I would take that quite seriously; but ask lots of questions. And you will get lots of support from others in the network who truly understand what you are going through.

from jennyss in Western NSW
Afraser
Member
5 years ago
Dear @Coops

A lot happening in a short time and it can be hard to know what’s best. Chemo is a daunting thought for anyone, we’d all prefer not to do it. If it was me (Mastectomy and axillary clearance, one lymph node positive), I’d do it - 6-7 percent doesn’t sound much but as my surgeon said, every percentage point counts. Most people get some comfort from doing everything they can to ensure that go through bc once! Chemo stretches ahead alarmingly but once started, you are on your way to the end of it. Best wishes.

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