Hello. I had a consultation with an oncologist today and he took me through my Oncotype score which is 19 for the largest tumour (16mm). He said that they usually wouldn’t offer chemo as part of the treatment plan due to my lower score but that my case was complex as I had 4 small tumours in the same breast. On that basis he said I had 3% chance of benefiting from chemo. He said it depended on my risk appetite how I wanted to proceed. He would offer 3 months Doxetaxel (4 infusions) together with Cyclophosphamide then Lezatrole and Ribociclib. I am 54 years old and he seemed to think tumours were grade 2 and staging was grade 2 but needed to check with the surgeon. Cancer has spread to one axillary node and one node in internal mammary chain. I’m confused whether I should go for chemo or not? I want to do the right thing but the oncologist has left it to me to decide which is a bit scary! Can you please advise?
I don’t think anyone here can advise you , as it’s complex.
I had a similar experience in that the breast surgeon left it up to me to decide whether to have surgery before or after chemo - I do feel they are the experts who can advise.
I also have 4 tumours all next to each other and lymph node involvement- I was advised to have chemo.
I’d suggest you read the book by dr liz
O’riordan - complete guide to breast cancer, listen to her podcasts on chemo
Hi, I was almost 70 when diagnosed with stage 2, grade 3, ductal carcinoma, 1.7 cm and micro mets to 1 node. I had the same treatment they are offering you, except with herceptin for one year (Triple positive) and I’m still going strong. 
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Hello mintea299
Thank you for your post.
It’s understandable that you are feeling confused about whether to have chemotherapy or not, and that you want to do the ‘right thing’. Treatment is tailored to your individual situation, and whether you are offered chemotherapy depends on a number of factors including the grade, size and stage of your cancer, along with the oncotype DX score.
Sometimes benefit from having chemotherapy is very clear. But in other situations, it may be less clear, In these cases, it’s not uncommon for the oncologist to leave the decision to the individual as everyone has their own perspective on risk.
As @anim4l says, it’s a complex and individual situation. It can be helpful to talk to others who have been through a similar experience like @Darla49 says. Our Someone Like Me service can match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. You could request to be put in touch with someone who opted to have chemotherapy and someone who decided not to. You could also talk things through with your breast care nurse.
Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.
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Katie
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