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Hi Molly,
I too was on 6 x FEC followed by 15 rads. My dx was similar to yours Grade 3, Stage 1 but with one node affected. I think that a lot of ladies have this particular combination of chemo, it is certainly not unusual.
My oncs decision was based on previous results from women who fell into the same category as me. This did seem very vague but I trusted his judgement
Wishing you well through the treatment,
Margaret
Hi Molly,
I was dx in jan 04 and I had just FEC…most of the ladies having chemo’ at the same time for BC were also having FEC…I don’t know how its decided which combination of drugs you are given…I was also Grade 3, stage 1, no node or vascular invasion , 12mm tumour ER+…and was 43 when dx.
I too am interested to know how they decide which drugs we are given.
Sorry I couldn’t answer your question though.
karen
I think there is an element of personal preference on the part of the consultant. I’m on 4xFEC and 4xtax, and yet a lot of women are getting away with 6 chemos. I’m also to get 25 rads! Grade 3, 4 out of 13 lymph nodes involved, 45 mm tumour, ER+, age 41.
I’m on just 6 FEC. Age 32, grade 3, 48mm, ER-, HER2- tumour, with no node involvement or vascular invasion. No idea how they came about the decision of which drugs, they just said that’s what I was to have. Having radiotherapy following chemo, but no idea how many as yet.
me too. 6 x FEC100:
age 33.
Left breast tumour: 25mm, grade 3, er+, pr+, no nodes involved, no vascular invasion.
Right breast tumour: 28mm, grade 3, triple neg, no nodes involved, no vascular invasion.
I believe the adjuvant database is used to work out whic treatment best fits but there does seem to be a little preference from the onc indeed.
I’m having chemo then rads. FEC is a very tried and tested regime
im on fec100 x 3, tax x 3, grade 3, er plus, pr plus, no vascular invasion, 1 node involved and other probable node involvement, not sure what this means as had all other nodes out and no involvment, they said it seemed more effective to switch part way through but this might be to do with nodal involvement. I only just found out that there’s other levels of fec which goes up to 100 so no idea how they decide who gets what
xx
I was told today (when I phoned cancer backup) that it is perfectly normal to use just FEC if no nodes are involved, as per the nice guidelines.
HTH
Angie
My wife is just on FEC now, she had tax then Xeloda, now she is on FEC number 7. I think they have run out of options, she is stage IV. They say they will keep going as long as they can
XX
I start 6 X FEC on 21 August…there’s a 3 week wait down here, but it’s not a problem as I’ve been leaking from the wound on my boob and it gives me chance to heal up properly.
Mine was 14mm IDC, stage 1, grade 3, triple neg, no nodes involved. I must admit I didn’t ask why those particular drugs, I was just told that as I’m young (!!) and healthy that they want to hit it hard.
My Mum was diagnosed with an identical cancer last year and was put on a trial with neo-adjuvant 4 X EC followed by 4 X gemcitabine and taxol, although she was at a different hospital, so their treatment plan differed anyway…she had axillary clearance whereas I got away with SLNB.
It all depends on your individual case I guess…
Love 'n hugs to all,
Sarahxx
Hi, I had 6xFEC and am now on 6 weeks of radiotherapy
I had grade 3 tumour and it was about 2cm in diameter, not hormone receptive and no spread to lymph nodes. I did not ask why I was on FEC whilst other BC patients are on other things (I have made a friend who had 3xFEC and is now on a longer regime of Herceptin) I just trust that my oncologist knows what he is doing - but if you want to know then just ask your Onc!
I hope it all goes as well as can be expected, I finished FEC on 30th June and feel much better.
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Hi Molly,
I too am on 6 FEC then 3 weeks of radiotherapy and tamoxifen for 5 years. I was a grade 2 with a 23mm lump and 1 lymph node involvement so had full axillary clearance. I have had my first chemo 3 weeks ago and will be having my next this coming week. I didn’t realise the chemo varied in intensity? I will be seeing my Onc prior to 2nd treatment so will ask him why the differences in the treatment we receive.
Bevy x
Hi
I am halfway through 6 x FEC I was initially dx in 1993 and as there was no lymph involvement was not given chemotherapy. However I was dx with bone secondaries in 2006 and then liver secondaries in April 2008. FEC seems to be the first line chemo offered. Whilst there is no cure for secondary mets it can often be controlled and my Oncologist is hoping that the FEC will send the tumours back to sleep. I have tolerated it quite well and after a few days of feeling pretty Y UK I am ok til the next one. Hair loss is difficult to come to terms with but I had my hair cut very short just before 2nd dose. Have still got some hair and eyebrows and eye lashes are still there and have to keep shaving legs!
Good luck with your treatment
Barbara x
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Hi Molly, thanks I am feeling o.k. I found the first fews days after chemo scary but a lot of that might be in waiting for something to happen. I did feel queasy for the first 5 days and had a couple of days of feeling very tired but then it all got better so I am hoping the 2nd one will be the same. I have started to lose my hair at the sides not altogether but thinning so I am intending to go for the cold cap again on Wednesday. I will come back to you after I have asked my Onc the questions relating to the different regimes.
Take care
Bevy x
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I’d be interested to know how you ladies are finding this treatment. I’ve actually been asked by the oncologist to decide for myself which chemo to choose. She has given me masses of information on FEC and epi-CMF as well as the TACT2 trial and it is up to me to decide which one I will have. From the information I’ve been given I’m favouring the FEC. It was interesting to read this thread as I seem to compare with some of you. Mine was a grade 3 tumour with no lymph node involvement, er+. Will not need radiotherapy as had mastectomy.
Could you please tell me how you are finding the side effects of this treatment? I’m dreading nausea and tiredness. I’ve 2 girls, 8 and 12 to look after. I need to take the 8 year old to school. Can you manage housework? Have you been offered anti-sickness pills and do they have any effect?
Thanks for your help.
Valentine
Hi Valentine - just had my second blast of FEC- first time I felt totally tired out for fourth and fifth day - nothing else and it looks like the same this time - so for a while I’ was KATT ( Knackered All The Time) but rest of time I’m BAAB ( Bright As A Button!) Started losing hair as promised on 14th day and so as wasn’t allowed on the furniture with all my moulting had OH shave it off = didn’t fancy cold cap or wigs so now I am Hat woman - hope this helps
Love and all the best xx
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