Early Breast Cancer Treatment Decision
Hi All, I recently was diagnosed with early breast cancer (stage 1, grade 2, HER Negative, Estrogen & Prog positive, no lymph nodes involve) three weeks ago I had a double mastectomy with tissue expanders for reconstruction. I now need to choose my treatment for post surgery. For my particular case the percentage for survival purely doing the double mastectomy surgery alone is 95% when I add hormone blocker treatment it adds another 1% so 96% total which has been recommended by my oncologist to take which I will. I have been also given the option to decide if I want to also do chemo or not, the percentage benefit for my specific cancer is less than 1% at about 0.3% (so the percentage still stays at 96% survival) Is there anyone with a similar case to mine and what you decided? Or if it was you what you would do? My immediate thoughts are for a 0.3% benefit that going through 6 months of chemo with everything that comes with that is perhaps not worth doing it? The other thing I will point out is if there are any tiny microcells left in my body anywhere that hormone blockers will stop them dividing and growing, but chemo would actually kill them. Bearing in mind there is no guarantee either way that reoccurrence will or won't happen. Thoughts?
2021 International Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer (ILC) Virtual Symposium-Videos of the discussions
I've put this in the Invasive Lobular Cancer Group - but I know that others may be interested in these videos as well ...... The June 2021 International Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer (ILC) Virtual Symposium was held recently - with lots of videos with different experts in Invasive Lobular Cancer. Over 740 physicians, researchers, patient advocates, patients with ILC from 36 countries participated to learn about ILC and discuss the most current research underway to better understand this unique disease. The Symposium showcased rapid progress in lobular breast cancer research with an agenda that featured presentations and discussions tackling challenges and opportunities that are ongoing in ILC diagnostics, imaging, biology and treatment and the growth of patient advocacy organisations ready to support the research. I've only watched part of the first one, (Skip the first 4 mins - they had a problem with muting!) but it looks good ... I hope the others are too. http://ilcsymposium.com/?fbclid=IwAR1Ic9GrPfjNqMhioNL7Ac1VivPIkD2nQK6D6cg3Bo4Yq-3Kn4I2ETycfXo
capecitabine (oral chemotherapy) after AC/TAXOL, radiation and surgery
Hello! Just wondering if anyone has been offered capecitabine additionally to their care after having standard of care treatment for Hormone positive, Her2 negative BC. I am 29, have completed 8 rounds of chemotherapy plus surgery and will be having 25 rounds of radiation. My oncologist has recommended 6 months of capecitabine as an additional adjunct therapy. I had a second opinion with another oncologist and she didn't seem to have the same opinion. I have done a little bit off research but there isn't a lot of people with hormone positive BC that have been offered this (that I can find). Thoughts? Thanks ladies! x
Fearful of Letrozole - side effects
Hi. I haven't posted for some time now. I have had my bilateral mastectomy and finished my chemo. (Thank goodness) I picked up a chest infection in my third round of chemo and ended up in hospital for a week. They thought I had Corona-19 first of all so I was quarantined. It was a very overwhelming experience. I got through it all still with a sense of humour and just pleased to be able to ring that bell. I now face the Hormone therapy - Letrozole and it is the first time I am feeling fearful; I am back at work part time so I am not sure if it is just tiredness but I am feeling very low and really don't want to face any further side effects from anything else. I wonder if it is worth it. I am prepared to give it a go but if I suffer the side effects that I have read you can get I don't think I could do it. Am I the only one who feels like they have had enough? n
Chemo discontinued
Hi I was 2 rounds into my chemo when I got a staf infection in my surgery site (double mastectomy) After a couple of admissions to hospital on drips and veri flow treatment and surgery , I had missed rounds 3 and 4 of chemo however I was able to continue on herceptin. It has been decided to take me off the chemo and continue on herceptin. Just wondering if any one else has had their chemo cancelled due to infection or complications I’m a bit worried about not having it it but very happy to not be continuing either?
Oncologist number 3. A winner finally.
So after sacking oncologist one and two for having the people skills of a cranky nesting magpie, number three looks like a winner. This is the first time I have left an oncologists office without being upset, frustrated or just seriously pissed off. Finally, someone who was willing to listen, was empathetic, yet straight down the line. I now have an all girl team. Which would be awesome if they would all stop having babies along the way:) She actually congratulated me on making it this far on HT. The drop out rate is pretty high within the first year or so apparently. Best of all, she is cool for me to continue the regular breaks on it. Yay for onco number 3 and a big tick for my 2 yr post chemo check up. Hugs to everybody xoxoxoxo
Reducing Taxol dose
ive had 6 of my 12 taxols and it seems Ive developed some peripheral neuropathy - tingling in left fingers, some pain in my left hand, tingling in my left toes and the feeling that my left foot is wet all the time. I told my Med Onc today and she has decided to drop the taxol dose to 80% in a hope I can get through all 12 of them. Has anybody has success in reducing the dose?
Chemo is all done!
Yesterday I had my last dose of chemo! I have been feeling so excited knowing it's over, now to just get through the last lot of side effects from this infusion. the side effects are pretty full on for a few days between days 3-6 but i'm prepared for that anyway, I just work with the side effects & take each day as it comes. I did dose dense of AC x 4, then dose dense of Paclitaxel x 4. I handled both really well, ended up not needing the injection o boost my blood levels, I just altered my diet to be rich in the foods i needed. I have constant neuropathy though which is annoying as well as sleeplessness & lethargy. I had my radiation planning appointment on Tuesday, got all measured & marked up ready to start on 7th November, until 11th December - then 4 weeks later I start on Letrazole - i need to have a DEXA scan & blood tests to check my hormone levels, making sure my ovaries are no longer active. i wen through natural menopause 10 years ago & was on HRT for around 9 years, coming off when I got my bc diagnosis. I am so looking forward to my hair growing back! I really do miss having my long hair. Reading the info my oncologist gave me about the Lertazole, it says it can thin hair... i hope not too badly, i'm sick of being bald.
