Monday I was given my final diagnosis post RB Mastectomy and silicone reconstruction. Grade 2 ER positive lobular carcinoma. Lymph node negative, so great news! My prognosis is good. 80% chance of non reoccurrence 10 yrs. However the big shock was the size of the tumour. It was double the size originally thought. So at 6.5cm I automatically fall into the “needs chemo, radiotherapy and 5 years tamoxifen”. Wasn’t expecting that…just the tamoxifen.
So with a 7.5% chance of chemo benefit my decision is do I follow what the hospital suggest or given the statistic is so low, do I skip this invasive treatment and just have the radiotherapy and tamocifen.
I’m a 40 yr old single mum of a gorgeous 11 yr old son. I really do not want to have this treatment. There is a really high chance of it being a waste of time for me, with early stage breast cancer…but can I take the risk?
This really is probably one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make :(
Hi HB, I only had a 3% benefit and grabbed chemo with both hands. I was 43 when diagnosed with a 4 year old daughter, my only concern was being around as long as possible to see her grow up. This may sound harsh but nobody wants to have chemo, we do it because it gives us the best chance of long term survival, for 7.5% I think you’d be mad not to. Not everybody suffers horribly with treatment, I continued to work, look after my daughter, run a home and have days out. It’s short term pain for long term gain in my opinion. X
Hi hb
I had chemotherapy on Thursday and so far had little side effects. Hope it stays that way but knows its still early days in the cycle. They do give you excellent anti sickness medication to combat the sickness. I have been well during this cycle been getting up and going out doing every day things. However do need to take it easy at times as more at risk of infections.
For 7.5% benefit I would jump at the benefit of the chemo as you are only 40 (same age as me) and could give you years of long term survival to see your son grow up. You may get bad days of chemo but you also get good days too where you can enjoy normal life.
You will get good anti sickness medication and any other side effects can be resolved with the help of your oncologists or by just taking over the counter remedies. Good luck in whatever you decide to do xx
Hi,i totally agree with the other ladies, it is only a short time in your life and most of the time you can have a normal life! I have carried on working, have cut my hours down , but still do normal things, anything however small you can throw at it is worth doing and you are young- so chemo will give you that bit more insurance to stay healthy for the future, good luck in your decision,