What would you do? To Chemo or not to Chemo?

Hi everyone,

 

This is not actually about myself, but my mum who was recently diagnosed with grade 2 breast cancer.  It was detected via mammogram (no lump) and she underwent a lumpectomy and SNB on the 1st April. The results were good, the tumour was about 1cm, at stage 1, it was all removed and there were no affected nodes.

 

Like many women on here, we hoped that would be the worst of it over, but the hospital threw a curved ball and informed us that as the tumour was HER2 positive, she has the option of chemotherapy and herceptin.  It is also ER positive, so she will be on Tamoxifen for 5-10 years.

 

She now has 24 hours to make what seems like an impossible decision.  The hospital have said that the benefits for her having chemotherapy are marginal (1% over 5 years and 3% over 10 years) and that the decision is hers as to whether to have 18 months of chemo/herceptin treatement or just have radiation and tamoxifen.

 

What I can’t find are recurrance or matastasis statistics - only survival statistics and I don’t know what these mean.  How many of the 95% of women alive after 5 years and 88% after 10 years are living with cancer or have had recurrances.

 

My mum is completely lost at what to do.  Does she put herself through 18 months of treament for such a small benefit, or does she take the risk and opt out?  It would be easier if the hospital had said that she definiately needs it, but they are on the fence and this has left us all in a very confused state.

 

I’m trying my best to support her and give her all the facts I can find so that she can make an informed decision, but it seems there is no right or wrong answer.

 

What would you do if you were her?  Any advice would be really great.  It seems an impossible decision…

 

Thanks

Jo

Hello JW226

Welcome to the forums.  I’m sorry to hear of your mums diagnosis, this must be a very difficult time for both of you.

As well as the support you and your mum will receive on the forums you might find it helpful to order the BCC resources pack. It has been specifically designed for those newly diagnosed and contains information to help you understand the diagnosis, test results and the various treatments available. If you would like to order a copy just follow the link bellow:-

 www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/diagnosed-breast-cancer/resource-pack-primary-early-breast-cancer-bcc145

You and your mum may also like to talk things through with one of the helpline staff, they are there to offer emotional support as well as provide information. The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and lines are open 9-5 Monday to Friday and 10-2 Saturday.

Best wishes

June, moderator

Hi Jo,

 

I am so sorry to hear about your mum’s diagnosis and now the dilemma about chemo. I didnt realise chemo is optional when BC is HER2 positive. My mum was diagnose with HER2 positive BC last year and we were told she had to have chemo because the cancer more aggressive and also Herceptin can only be given with chemo.

 

If I am honest watching my mum go through chemo was difficult but she got through it and I am sure you’re mum will be fine too if she decides to go for it.

 

Take care.

 

Kat x

Hi,
After my successful mastectomy and reconstruction in January I was offered chemotherapy for a 5% reduction in risk of recurrence over 10 years. My cancer was grade 2 ER+ but responded moderately to the hormone treatment prior to surgery, and I had one lymph node with micromets. So in addition to tamoxifen and an aromatase inhibitor I was offered chemo.

I decided to have the chemo because I wanted to know I had done everything I could to avoid a recurrence. I felt that 5% risk reduction was worthwhile, in my case I am having 6 cycles of FEC-T.

It is a very personal decision and that is my reasoning, your Mum might feel differently.
I also think that there is no reason why she can’t be given more time to make the decision, and perhaps she could ask for a few weeks to think about it. I can’t see why this would cause a problem.

Good luck to your Mum whatever she decides

Wildpurl x