Hello all, I was diagnosed with a cancerous lump and had the lump and sentinel nodes removed three weeks ago today. When I went back to see my consultant she said it was a ductal/micro papillary mix in the tumour, Stage I, Grade 3 with no involvement of the lymph nodes. She reeled off everything she wanted me to have…chemo, radiotherapy, tamoxifen etc. and I said no, I don’t want anything. The tumour was removed with good clear margins, so I feel that it’s gone. I might add I’m nearer 70 than 60, already have arthritis, high blood pressure, underactive thyroid and a blood platelet condition which means I take a daily low dose chemotherapy pill. I have enough aches and pains and side effects already without adding more. My husband says he’ll stand by whatever decision I make. I see the oncologist tomorrow…am I right to stick to my guns, or not do you think? anyone else declined treatment and still fine years down the line?
Hi Twinks and welcome to the BCC forums
I am sure your post will strike a chord with others here on the forums and you will soon have support and shared experiences from your fellow users
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Take care
Lucy BCC
Hi Twinks
I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I too have RA, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Osteopenia, Bronchiectasis with pseudomonas colonisation and high blood pressure. I was diagnosed with ductal invasive cancer, grade 3, 3 nodes removed - one containing cancer, stage 2b. I was 61 when DX, 63 now.
I’m assuming the low dose chemotherapy pill you refer to is Methotrexate. I used to have the injections (25mls). I went ahead with the chemo, but had to stop the metho beforehand. I continued to take Leflunomide which I’m still on. I found the chemo improved my RA, and I’m still pretty good one year on. I refused radio because of my lung disease, but I do take Tamoxifen but hope to move on to Anastrazole shortly.
Whether you are right to stick to your guns is entirely up to you. But you could ask your oncologist what percentage of benefits each treatment will give you. Perhaps with more information you could make a better informed decision. I told you my history to let you see that it can be done, whatever our age or health problems.
Whatever decision you make, I’m sending hugs and best wishes. Please come back and let us know what you decided.
poemsgalore xx
Hi, I think you need all the facts before you decide what to do. Obtaining good clear margins is good in the fact it means you don’t have to have more surgery and it may mean that all the cancer was removed from the breast but that doesn’t necessarily mean that cells haven’t escaped from the breast even if nodes are clear and grade 3 can be aggressive. Think poemsgalore is right and you should ask what % benefit you will get from treatment. If your cancer was highly ER+ then you may benefit greatly from taking Tamoxifen, maybe you could give it a go and see how you are because not everyone has side effects from it and if you do then you could always stop. I think you should sit down and go through you path report with your oncologist and get all the facts then make a decision that’s right for you. All the best xx