No chemo

Genetic testing shouldn't be $5000. In fact if you have a family history you can get for free. I had family history & the cost was bulk billed by Medicare (Kinghorne Centre, Sydney). In my situation it was useful information to have.

J everyone's diagnosis is different and I wondered the same thing... but most don't have chemo if their tumor is less the 2cm and clear margins with no lymph nodes..... I found this and hopefully might explain a few things

http://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/stage_i_ii_breast/index.html#

Chriss xx

I remember a few years ago from this site thinking I was one of a small minority not having chemo. And of course it is in the early days when fear for me was quite high of reoccurrence.  This is was not helped by oncologists consulting to my private surgeon all recommmended chemo based on micromet in lymph gland.  My oncologist said I'm not recommending chemo : for me he felt surgery was key, and hormonal treatment and with a bit of radiation thrown in for extra insurance. He feels chemo overused in bc, that chemo does not 'sweep out all the cancer' but likens it to bombing : a bit hit and miss and carries it own health risks and also felt  that there was financial incentives also at work.  I didn't have the onco test but I notice on breast anger org sites more women are and not having chemo.   As a generalisation the bc journey seems to be a bit more straight forward without chemo so maybe that's why these sites and the media seem to be more about more intensive treatment options. I noticed on a recent research findings I took part of recently that almost 50 percent of respondents did not have chemo.   I agree with the comment about no 100 guarantees and that initial fear of reoccurrence has faded and I'm pleased with my bc treatment which has been lumpectomy with barely noticeable scar, radiation and tamoxafin. Best wishes

Had the cancer not made it into my sentinel lymph node I would have considered not having chemo. I think its a personal choice where you have weigh up the benefits vrs the draw backs and your age, lifestyle, and any inherited gene disposition to cancer. Mine was a one off, with no relatives who have had breast cancer at all. I am still young at 53 and able to recover from the chemo hopefully with no lasting effects so I figured it was good insurance to have it done now and less worry of getting secondary cancer as I get older.

Hi

I didn't have chemo either. The surgeon thought it may be necessary just because of younger age, but the oncologist said there would be no benefit. Had something to do with the cancer type, size, grade, clear nodes. Would have needed radiotherapy if had left it at lumpectomy but I chose mastectomy after.

Not sure about that genetic test. Do you have an oncologist? Just wondered if it was an option for you as might be able to ask them.

Wishing you all the very best :)

Hello

I think it is a common reaction at the end of treatment to worry and hope that it was 'enough' to prevent a recurrence. That is the thing with any of us no matter what treatment you have, there are no 100% guarantees. But I think it helps if you remember that you followed what the experts (your surgeon) recommend for your particular situation.

I know it can seem like almost everyone on this site has chemo as part of their treatment but that is not what the statistics tell us about overall treatment for bc. In actual fact there are many, many people in your situation where chemo is not recommended as it would make very little difference to your chance of staying cancer free.

Every person is different and your medical team is in the best position to advise you. If we listen to them then we should reassure ourselves that we have done what was recommended. Personnally I do that (remind myself that I did what was medically recommended for me) and then live as well as I can each day. I lead a healthy lifestyle and I think that helps me to feel like I am doing my bit after the doctors did their bit. Hope this helps you to feel more settled. Deanne xxx

Hi!

i had it offered to me too but my oncologist also said that it is not 100% correct all the time either, so chose not too do it.  I had a lumpectomy and am about to have my last chemo round, 4 in total, then radiation.  Sorry that I can't be any more help.  Take care and good luck with your treatment whatever you choose to do.