I had a single mastectomy and axillary node clearance 2 weeks ago and now I’m feeling more with it my mind is doing the usual trying to second guess what my next treatment will be. It’s like the wait for initial diagnosis and I’m hoping others might be able to empathise and/or share what they experienced.
I was diagnosed mid October with IDC, grade 2, stage 2. It was 45mm and also had an area of diffuse IDC. There was also an area of high grade DCIS. They also know from a core biopsy it was in 1 node. It was ER+ PR+ HER2-
I know I’m definitely having radiotherapy but waiting to hear about chemo. Have been told 10 yrs of hormones blockers after.
Does it sound likely that chemo is on the cards? I know everyone is different though. The predict tool says 3.2% benefit from chemo.
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I’m sorry you find yourself here, and with a lot on your plate already. I’m out the other end of surgery (right side mastectomy & DIEP flap recon), 6 rounds of chemo & 1 week of radiotherapy, and I just started my hormone treatment.
I’m not an expert but from what I understand most of us don’t need chemotherapy, I forget the stat but it’s only a minority. I needed it based on the results of a test they did called Oncotype. It gave a high score for risk of recurrence for me, so there was a clear benefit to be gained from chemo. I had ER positive, PR neg and HER2neg, early stage. Two small tumours. I was lucky that no lymph nodes were involved, so we didn’t expect I would need chemo - until that oncotype test score came back. But like a lot of us on here, I got through my chemo, it is do-able, and I found tremendous support from the community here.
I would say to try and stay optimistic that you might not need it, but if you do then I recommend you join the monthly chemo starters thread for when you start and you’ll help each other get it done. I know that sounds hard to believe, but you will get through it if the time comes. The ladies in the June 2025 thread have been amazing for me and we have laughed and moaned our way through it together. Wishing you all the best xx
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Hello Kittens, I’m in a similar boat. 3 weeks into waiting for the results of my lumpectomy and sentinel node biospy.
There are so many variables arent there!
If they didnt get clear margins, it means one thing.
If they find some in the nodes it means something different.
If both those things happens its another result and then even if there is no spread and clear margins (which to me will be like winning the breast cancer lottery) it then means another set of things!
We go through 1 door only to be faced with dozens more infront of us and we don’t know which one it will be.
My doctor told me I will be on tamoxifen for 10 years. That’s the only thing I know for sure. And I suppose radiotherapy will be on the cards because it was only a lumpectomy. But chemo is a who knows until these results.
Part of me thinks they will want me to have chemo because I am only 39 years old which they consider young. But then I just read a ladys comment that said she was told not to have chemo (it wasnt completed necessary for her) and to keep that in her back pocket incase it returned as cancer can become resilient which I’ve heard before. But it’s s just thrown me another thing to consider.
As always this not knowing is the worst part 
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I have no advice but just wanted to chip in as in the same boat - the waiting is so tough. I had surgery on 23rd dec, single mastectomy and axilla clearance - waiting until the 15th for results but second guessing everyone - in my head I’ve already got a treatment plan that no one has confirmed.
My cancer is similar to yours and surgeon said chemo likely but have to wait for the results - but I know they will have more answers when I see them next. Part of me is worried about being given options, I just want someone else to know what’s best for me!
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Hello and sending you a huge hug. Same boat here as well. Had my single mascemtomy 2 and a half weeks ago with implant reconstruction and now playing the waiting game too. Had such a buzz when op was over and when I am feeling good I know what a major step that was in getting well again but am so daunted about what is to come. So no words of advice but lots of solidarity and support. Really good to share it all and am thinking of you and everyone else waiting for results 
xxx
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I also had a mastectomy and left diep reconstruction cos I had had left breast cancer 29 years b4 in the same breast plus radiotherapy and you can’t have radiotherapy twice or avoid a mastectomy if you have already had lumpectomy so long ago.
I also had oncotypeX testing in the US but had a low score 15 so I managed to avoid chemo hurrah.
I had been warned by the surgeon who did the mastectomy that I might need chemo and I worried that my head wasn’t going to be the right shape for baldness. Wigs are hot and sticky my friends tell me.
I did get 6 rounds of zoledronic acid two a year at six monthly intervals for 3 years which were meant to strengthen my bones. 
I have recently had an MRI which shows I have spinal stenosis whatever that is. I rang up my bc nurses to complain that zoledronic acid hadn’t worked for me and she said it doesn’t work for everyone!!
That annoyed me but it’s true- only dearh and taxation are certain in this life.
Hi all, I’m back with an update.
I got my results today. The cancer was much bigger than the 45mm that they thought, it was a total of 75mm, 60mm was IDC, the remaining was DCIS. 6/17 lymph nodes were positive for cancer.
Next step is CT scan to check for spread (I’m very worried about this), chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone blockers and ovary suppression. The whole armoury is being thrown at it.
My surgeon said I might start chemo in the next 4 to 5 weeks.
Lots to take in and digest.
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Hi I just got my results back today too - 56mm IDC and remainder was DCIS - 3/13 lymph nodes positive. I was already sent for a CT and MRI before my surgery and they both came back all clear bar the angry boob - I was totally convinced that it had spread everywhere until the CT came back clear.
I have oncology meeting thursday and then I guess radio/hormone blockers will follow but this will all be confirmed thursday. Feel oddly relieved to have it confirmed - they had heavily hinted that chemo was likely to now I feel like I can accept it and get moving - I think if they hadn’t said that before it would have really thrown me.
Not sure if my reaction is denial as just been so fed up and spiralling the last few days, every time my phone shows as being the BCN I panic - the uncertainty is just so terrifying.
Sending lots of positive thoughts - we got this!
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Where is the predict tool? I’m having trouble with this forum and can’t even find out how to post my introduce myself post
If you Google Predict tool you’ll get a link to it. There’s one for breast cancer and one for prostate cancer. The NHS use it to inform treatment plans.