So I now have TNBC, I have no treatment plan as yet.
After WLE and SNB, the team think they got it all out. I’ve to wait about 6 weeks to let things settle down
then have more tests. Is this the usual way for this type of BC?
Carole x
At the moment it is… What age are you if you dont mind me asking as if you are young then they can do a gene test to find out if your a BRCA carrier (which most people arent) but they are more likely to get TNBC and at a younger age.
Sometimes they will wanna do chemo first if its a larger tumour but not any benefit if its small.
Hope your other tests come back ok… They will normally want to give chemo as there isnt any other options treatment wise… But def will need rads to the rest of the breast as that is done as standard after a lumpectomy. Xxxx
Hi Kalo and Lulu,
I was diagnosed Nov 13 with triple neg, idc grade 2 with no nodes involved, I am 51 and I was not given an option re chemo. I was told because it was triple neg then I would need chemo !!!.
sorry to interupt your thread but it seems confusing now.
Lulu I have been reading a lot of your posts and find your knowledge and most importantly your strength amazing, hope you are doing well with your current treatment.
Take care
Wyn x
Hello Ladies
Just to add to everyone’s confusion!! I was diagnosed with TNBC, Stage 1, Grade 3 with no nodes involved in December 2013. I had a WLE in January where they removed a 1.3cm tumour and also discovered some DCIS. The margins weren’t clear enough of DCIS at first op so had a second 2 weeks later and surgeon was happy everything had been removed. I was offered chemo but it was only going to increase my chances by 2.9% - and for me that just wasn’t enough to put myself through the treatment. I had lengthy discussions with my surgeon, oncologist, GP and breast care nurse and they were all very supportive - they certainly didn’t ‘push’ chemo. In fact my oncologist said they usually only offer it if the chances are >4%. The one thing I have learnt from this horrible process is that EVERYONE is different. Every treatment plan is different and there is just no ‘one size fits all’ even when it would appear that you have the same cancer type/situation to others.
I am a fit and healthy 53 year old no family history or other risk factors.
I had the usual 3 weeks of RT and now I am trying to put the whole thing out of my mind and get on with life. My oncologist discharged me last week with the advice “live life to the full, don’t worry about every little ache and pain but if something unusual for you personally persists for more than 2 weeks, see your GP”. I intend to try and do this.
If it comes back, I will deal with it then. I know of ladies who have spent months going through chemo and the cancer has still returned - there are no guarantees. My decision has been very personal to me so this is definitely NOT advice to anyone else, but I figured that chemo = 6 months of feeling pretty bad so to put myself through it ‘just in case’ was not something I was not prepared to do. I did worry a lot initially as almost every other TNBC lady I have come across had chemo and I was frightened I was being stupid refusing, but all the health care professionals I have spoken to agreed with my decision - drastic treatment for so little gain is a risk in itself.
Good luck to you all x keep strong