I was diagnosed with a 1cm grade 2 ductal carcinoma 4 weeks ago. My consultant advised lumpectomy and 3 weeks radiotherapy followed by 5 years in tamoxifen. Yesterday I had my post op consultation and results of tumour removal and SNB. There are clear margins around tumour and 3 nodes removed and all clear but tumour size had increased to just over 2cm. He mentions now that chemotherapy may be an option. That has made me feel sick with worry as this wasn’t a consideration previously. When does chemo become advised rather than an option ? Is it better to have it if not totally necessary to rule out risk of recurrence ? Do the positives of chemo outweigh the negative side effects on my grade of cancer ? I haven’t had my oncology appointment through yet to discuss all options but, as a born worrier, worrying myself sick.
Hi Lisabeth
Welcome to the forum. I’m sure you will receive a lot of support on here from fellow members.
You might also find it helps to talk things over with one of our helpliners. They can offer you practical information as well as emotional support. The opening times are 9-5 on weekdays and 10-2 on Saturdays. The number id 0808 800 6000. Call are free and confidential.
Take care
Very best wishes
Janet
BCC Moderator
Hi Lisabeth,
I’m so sorry you find yourself in this situation, but you are among hosts of women who all felt like you do now.
There are a lot of considerations for the medics to take in before suggesting chemotherapy. I notice you will be taking Tamoxifen which is good, as that is another layer of treatment. My own cancer was grade three, but I was given the choice to have chemo or not. I did. If your cancer had been HER2 positive or triple negative, you would have had no choice but to have chemo. Usually Grade 3 also requires chemo, but as I said, I was given the choice. As you are going to be taking Tamoxifen, I assume that you are under 50. Some Oncologists like to offer chemo to younger women, so that might be one of the reasons he was offering it you. As far as whether it is worth it or not, depends entirely on you. Ask more questions. Ask if there is vascular invasion, if so then maybe it might be a good idea for you to consider it seriously. As you had no nodes affected, then usually radiotherapy and Tamoxifen would do the job.
I don’t know when you have to give them a decision about chemo, but if there is time, it might be worth you visiting the Chemotherapy threads on here and reading a few posts to find out what kind of things the ladies are going through. The latest thread is the September Stars, but there is a thread for each month. I’m a February Valentine. We have all finished our chemo now, and moved on to other treatments. If you DO decide to take that option, it would be a good idea for you to join the most recent thread for support from others going through the same thing.
Wishing you well, whatever you decide.
Poemsgalore xx
hi Lisabeth, thought would reply direct to one of your posts as our other ones were going thru someone elses. I am so sorry to read of the loss of your husband at such a young age, people keep saying to me why do these things always happen to nice people. Maybe it’s beacuse we have a lot of good friends and family around us so we are able to deal with all the bad stuff better?? God only knows… Do you have children? My husband and I never went down that route but we have got some great god children anspd nieces and nephews to keep us focussed.
Listen, hope your apt goes well on the 11th, please let me know how you get on? I went to get my hair cur today for mums funeral and went for a pixie cut, just in case chemo is on the cards… I love it and y brother in law said I look about 25 so that was nice!!
Take care for now, be strong, much love xxx