I am very new to my diagnosis and now after my Chemo specialist appointment I am even more confused as to whether to have chemo - any thoughts on this would be appreciated. My breast cancer pathology is: multifocal Gr 2 infiltrating carninoma, no special type - 18mm & 8mm lying 8mm apart, no node involvement, DCIS present, Hormone receptors positive, HER2 negative, clear margins. I've had a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. Now, I've been told that my 10 yr prognosis with no other treatment other than the lump removed is 84.2% using the Predict Tool, Radiation & hormone therapy would add 2.8% Chemo would only add 2.3% to that - maybe. Now considering Chemo was never mentioned in my initial specialist appointment, (radiation & hormone therapy were) I am having a hard time coming to terms with the addition of chemo to the mix.It has now been left up to me to make the decision on whether I should have chemo or not. The chemo specialist wouldn't say one way or the other. My thought line (before the pathology results) was if I had the cysts removed, clear margins and my lymph nodes are negative, I wouldn't need chemo and it was never mentioned. I understand now that the cancer may of already sent out nasty stuff to the rest of my body to lay dominant. On paper it seems such a small % as to the reason to have chemo, on paper I have read all the side effects and what to expect, but as everyone is individual this has only helped to even confuse me even further. And the even longer term effects can't even be forseen or considered. Does it really come back to peace of mind, or are there any other considerations I haven't thought of as I am so new and am finding it hard tap into resources. I may be grasping at straws but any imput would be welcome. I do apologise if the is a common topic here but being new I thought would put it out there for myself. Thanks,

It is the initial report I would guess as it is the first one post op. Maybe I will get more info later, I won't worry about it too much yet, ta

Sounds entirely up to you if you have chemo or not but to cover themselves it has been offered. I had the chemo and was offered radiation as an option. I chose not to have the radiation as I had a single mastectomy and the benefits were low.I am a 2yr survivor and still on Tamoxifen. No cancer is evident at this time.

Hi there @Lea-AnneD , specifically responding to your "on paper it seems..." portion of your post. Back in the distant past, I used to be a very active skydiver..1634 jumps. If an instructor was to say to a first jump student that there were two choices of parachutes...one had a reserve and one didn't, just the main. He might have then explained that the one with the reserve was much heavier and much bulkier. The one with only the main was ever so much easier due to the fact that there was only one. He might then point out that 99% of the time, jumpers never had to resort to their reserves and so in his own personal opinion, they were a bit of overkill. Which would you choose? I know for a fact that on the only reserve ride I ever had, with all those jumps, I was as happy as all f**k for that reserve. I had had to pay a master rigger to check and repack it every three years, but it was worth every dollar. In this whole cancer saga, for myself, I've continued with the same mindset. One or two percent sounds like such a small margin, but really it is quite large. If parents of a primary school with 1000 students were told that a particular medical treatment would prevent 2.3% of their children dying of some terrible disease, that would be 23 precious children, I'll bet all the parents would choose the treatment. I've had terrible side effects from my chemo, but I don't regret having had it. I would hate for it to have gone to stage 4 (and I know it might still, there are no guarantees), and been left with the thought of ...if only I'd had the chemo, I might not now be in this position. Personal thoughts and choice. Sending a big hug.

It's a tricky one isn't it. 2.3% doesn't sound like much on paper. 90% of women survive 5 years with current treatments. Trouble is we don't know if we are in the 90% or the 10%. That's where the lotto is. I chose mastectomy over lumpectomy due to my concerns of recurrence in that breast. Even though most women don't have it...mine was detected in a mammogram 5 weeks before I found a lump. I was worried it could return and not be found early enough. Same as I chose to have the other breast removed. My Aunt had a new primary in her other breast and didn't survive. My sister died from breast cancer. I had this reality with me at diagnosis.I had chemo and it was very difficult. I also had herceptin and had to have it stopped early due to issues. Would I choose differently now? No.My feelings were that I had one shot at eradicating this cancer. If it returns now it is stage IV most likeky. I didn't want to get 2 years down the track and have regrets...regrets like I wished I'd given it my best shot. It's a personal choice. No decision is wrong but you have to feel comfortable with the decision so you can get back to the business of living, not just being scared of return. Once you feel confident with that hopefully it's all smooth sailing for you. Kath x

Thank you lades for your comments, all your analogies are so valid. I'm still struggling with what was on my pathology that put chemo on the table when it was never mentioned before. Are they really just covering all the bases. I really need to reach deep inside myself and decide would I be comfortable with the decision if i decide not to go ahead. I have always considered myself to be a fit and healthy 56 year old. Eat well, weight train, etc etc.... guess these days its just not enough. Hopefully this will help my body with the side effects if I go ahead. I am at the stage where I am starting to realise how naive I was in the beginning. Now it's all starting to sink in. Thanks again

New Diagnosis - now to decide on Chemo

23 Replies

primek
Member
8 years ago
It's a tricky one isn't it. 2.3% doesn't sound like much on paper. 90% of women survive 5 years with current treatments. Trouble is we don't know if we are in the 90% or the 10%. That's where the lotto is.

I chose mastectomy over lumpectomy due to my concerns of recurrence in that breast. Even though most women don't have it...mine was detected in a mammogram 5 weeks before I found a lump. I was worried it could return and not be found early enough. Same as I chose to have the other breast removed. My Aunt had a new primary in her other breast and didn't survive. My sister died from breast cancer. I had this reality with me at diagnosis.

I had chemo and it was very difficult. I also had herceptin and had to have it stopped early due to issues. Would I choose differently now? No.

My feelings were that I had one shot at eradicating this cancer. If it returns now it is stage IV most likeky. I didn't want to get 2 years down the track and have regrets...regrets like I wished I'd given it my best shot.

It's a personal choice. No decision is wrong but you have to feel comfortable with the decision so you can get back to the business of living, not just being scared of return. Once you feel confident with that hopefully it's all smooth sailing for you. Kath x
AllyJay
Member
8 years ago
Hi there @Lea-AnneD , specifically responding to your "on paper it seems..." portion of your post. Back in the distant past, I used to be a very active skydiver..1634 jumps. If an instructor was to say to a first jump student that there were two choices of parachutes...one had a reserve and one didn't, just the main. He might have then explained that the one with the reserve was much heavier and much bulkier. The one with only the main was ever so much easier due to the fact that there was only one. He might then point out that 99% of the time, jumpers never had to resort to their reserves and so in his own personal opinion, they were a bit of overkill. Which would you choose? I know for a fact that on the only reserve ride I ever had, with all those jumps, I was as happy as all f**k for that reserve. I had had to pay a master rigger to check and repack it every three years, but it was worth every dollar. In this whole cancer saga, for myself, I've continued with the same mindset. One or two percent sounds like such a small margin, but really it is quite large. If parents of a primary school with 1000 students were told that a particular medical treatment would prevent 2.3% of their children dying of some terrible disease, that would be 23 precious children, I'll bet all the parents would choose the treatment. I've had terrible side effects from my chemo, but I don't regret having had it. I would hate for it to have gone to stage 4 (and I know it might still, there are no guarantees), and been left with the thought of ...if only I'd had the chemo, I might not now be in this position. Personal thoughts and choice. Sending a big hug.
Brenda5
Member
8 years ago
Sounds entirely up to you if you have chemo or not but to cover themselves it has been offered. I had the chemo and was offered radiation as an option. I chose not to have the radiation as I had a single mastectomy and the benefits were low.
I am a 2yr survivor and still on Tamoxifen. No cancer is evident at this time.

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New Diagnosis - now to decide on Chemo

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