Considering EndoPredict before accepting Chemo
Hi everyone, I did a search and this topic hasn't been mentioned in a while since 2023. The main difference seems to be that EndoPredict ($2980) is now eligible for partial Medicare rebate ($1103). However, it is still a considerable cost for many of us. I'm having to decide whether to take the test and hope that maybe the outcome could be that Chemo is not of benefit to me. Going by what the medical oncologist told me it is doubtful that Chemo would not benefit me - the use of "aggressive" to describe my stage 3 cancer makes me think that. Though he did still mention the testing to me so I had a choice. I'm torn and scared. With my previous cancer (liposarcoma) I didn't have Chemo so it is an unknown scary beast. My two main concerns with Chemo are the heart and bone damage risks. I get that the decision to have the test is a very personal one and nobody can make that choice for me. For me it isn't just financial, the main choice is whether I consider Chemo is worth it. Even if the test comes out a low percentage for recurrence, is that enough for me to say no to Chemo? After all, the test is the risk of recurrence in 10 years and personally, I'm now on cancer number 2 (different types) in a 14 year period. Have many of you have taken the test? Or would you take it now that it is partially rebated by Medicare? Thank you for reading and being sounding boards.
Do I take Letrozole
Hi there. I am new to this group. I have had a Grade 2 cancer removed (lymph clear) and 3 weeks of radiotherapy. The tumour was 9mm Oe+ 100% Pr+ 90% and I now have been recommended to go on Letrozole. It is sitting on the bench and I am really nervous about it. I'm post menopausal and the bone density scans are showing osteopenia already. I'm really worried about all the side effects - weight gain, osteoporosis, joint pains etc.... Has anyone else been in the same boat or do you feel that because it is recommended by the oncologist, they are the ones that know best??? I believe he said it only increases the chances of not returning by about an extra 2% (i think from memory).... so is it really worth it? Happy to hear people's thoughts pls
Treatment after mastectomy
Hi, I had a left mastectomy 3 weeks ago with lymph nodes removed. My cancer is ER/PR+ HER2- Pathology came back with no cancer in nodes and all margins clear. I’m waiting to see oncologist now for further treatment options, but just wondering if anyone has been through similar and not had any chemo or radiation?Chemo decision
hi all i had mastectomy on 21st December- it was lobular 55mm and multiple lesions as 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 effects has 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!
Hormone inhibitors. To use or not.
I’m keen to hear from anyone who has a similar breast cancer to me and their decision re taking hormone blockers. I’m 73 years old, and diagnosed with ER+, HER2-, 8mm invasive ductal tumour with no lymph node involvement. I chose to have a mastectomy primarily to avoid radio therapy and I’m not required to have chemo.Are there any research studies on women in my category of cancer and the risk of recurrence with/without hormone therapy?
Treatment decisions
Hi everyone! I was diagnosed with early stage, grade 3, ER/PR+ breast cancer in early April shortly after my 28th birthday. I had a lumpectomy early May and it came back with clear margins and clear lymph nodes (but not without a good infection and some extra fun in hospital!) I'm currently in consult with my team on my next stage of treatment. Radiation is a given and I'm yet to see my medical oncologist but chemotherapy seems to be highly recommended for me but ultimately it's a decision I must make myself. I'd love to hear other people's decision making processes in a situation like this and the reasons why you may or may not have gone down that route? Stay strong x
DCIS treatments
Last Tuesday I had my lumpectomy (wide incision). Yesterday I got my results. Well the are was bigger than first thought and a few of the convicts had escaped (now its invasive) and they aren't happy with the margins on the superior side. The goods news is that it looks like they got all the convicts in the procedure, but now the discussion will be further treatment. Because of the margins they want to go back cut out some more and do a first node biopsy. I have asked for a scan (MRI) so they can get a better picture hopefully, I am deciding do I just bite the bullet and get a mastectomy or just go in for my surgery and hope that this time they got it all and that no more little convicts are out and about. I know they plan to do radiation after, and that this will get the convicts if this is the case. Has anyone had a similar experience to me, is a mastectomy an overkill? Is having the MRI worth it does it really show if there are any more areas especially if its as small as they say it is, should I just go straight to surgery?Treatment decision paralysis
Hi Everyone, I’m sitting in a grey zone at the moment and trying to understand how you weigh up your options with so many unknowns! I’ve just received Prosigna results back which show a 10% chance of recurrence, with chemo giving between a 2-4% risk reduction. I know I have 15-19 sessions of radiation ahead of me and hormone therapy after that for 5 years.. My chemo course if I go ahead with it would be 4x TC for 3 months. How are you supposed to weigh up potential risks of recurrence without knowing how badly you will respond to chemo!? I’m 33, want kids in the future - and three oncologists have given three different opinions of how aggressive treatment should be. I’ve been told there are no wrong choices and that they are supportive of whatever decision I make. My husband and I literally can’t make sense of how we proceed! I am healthy and active and am very nervous about the toll of chemo, being luminal A and therefore it’s benefit being less clear cut and the stacked impact of all these treatments together. Any advice on how you navigate these decisions would be wonderful! Thank you xx
Chemo treatment or not
Good morning This is my first post. I was diagnosed with Multi focal Invasive Lobular Carcinoma 20 Nov 2019. Was recommended by my specialist to have a Lumpectomy but I decided on a Mastectomy with full breast reconstruction of left breast. Turns out besides the main tumor being 35mm but there was 2 small other tumors nearby of 1mm. Two sentinel lymph nodes were also clear so it had not spread to other parts of my body. Given the size of the main tumor and that is was close to the superficial margin I was recommended to see a Radiation and Chemo Therapist Oncologist. At this stage I have been told I may not need Radiation, yet to be confirmed. Upon seeing the Chemo Oncologist I have to take Hormone Therapy, which is tablets. She also suggested to think about Chemo treatment. The Chemo can lower the risk further of the Cancer not coming back in other parts of my body. I am a low risk of 1-3%. It is my decision to make. I can't take the tablets until I decide if I need Chemo or not. The treatment would consist of 1 treatment every 3 weeks for 4 months (by drip). I can't decide whether to have the Chemo or not. I would be on the TC Chemo. I have looked at all the side effects and wondering if anyone else has been in the same situation as me. Thank you! Mary Anne
