WHICH CHEMO TO CHOOSE

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WHICH CHEMO TO CHOOSE

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WHICH CHEMO TO CHOOSE My Mam had a mestectomy at the beginning of June, we have recently been told that the cancer has spread to her Lymph notes so she will need chemo. The only problem is the hospital have given us a choice in chemo, we can either take (F.A.C) Fluorouracil, Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide or a Clinical trial called TACT 2 but we don’t know which to choose. I would appreciate any guidance as my mam has left the decision up to me to decide.

Thanks for your help

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For HAZELD Hi Hazeld

I am so sorry to hear you are having such a tough time. It sounds like you are unsure about the different treatments your Mum’s being offered. Maybe it would help to talk it through with someone from the BCC helpline. You can talk confidentially with our expert team about any concerns you may have.

The number to ring is freefone 0808 800 6000 the lines being open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturdays 9am - 2pm. I hope this helps.

Kind regards
BCC Host

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Hi Hazel…

I am surprised the hospital gave you a choice, I was just told which one I was having by my onc and that was it, end of story, based on my results…this is going to be really hard for you to choose,I would think you must be under enormous pressure, I think maybe you need to go back to them and ask them which one is the most suitable and let them make the decision, based on hard facts…

Lucy
XXXX

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Hi Hazel

I agree with Lucy, I think that i had too much going on in my head at the time if I had had to make my own decision, I was told which chemo was most appropraiate for me and I went with that. Perhaps your Mum has a choice over whether to be in a trial or use a ‘more established regime’ I had TAC which is the Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide bit, but with Taxotere instead! I was lucky, that apart from horrendous indigestion, which was controlled with medication, i had no problems on the AC part at all and had no sickness whatsoever!! I know everybody reacts differently but I was fine on the AC and able to lead a completely normal(ish - I lost my hair!!!) life.

Good Luck in making your decision, it’s good to hear that your Mum has your support to help her through this difficult time!

Take care Nicky x

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TACT2 Hi Hazel,

I’m v.surprised your mum has been given a choice. I was told by the oncologist what chemo I would be on (I’m on E-CMF) and was then given the opportunity to take part in the TACT2 trial if I so wished.

I was given loads of info to read and given a few days to decide. Personally I always knew I wanted to take part in the trial if I were eligible. The TACT2 trial is being carried out in 100 hospitals around the country and is co-ordinated by the Royal Marsden in assoc with cancer research uk. It is done totally at random by a computer at the RM and if your mum decides to take part she will be put on 1 of the 4 arms of the study. I am on arm 2 and my chemo is due to last 5 1/2 months rather than the standard 6 1/2 months for E-CMF.

There were 2 things that sold the trial to me: 1. I am monitored much more closely than if I were on the standard E-CMF treatment. I have a research nurse assigned to me and she monitors my progress continuously. The follow-up is much more in depth too, and I will continue to have very regular check ups for the rest of my life. 2. Without people taking part in research studies progress and new developments would be much slower. This study has been going on for sufficiently long enough for me to think that the risks would be minimal.

Obviously these are just my personal views. At no time have I ever felt pressured to do the trial and I can still opt out at any time if I decide I don’t want to take part in it anymore. The trial works for me but obviously everyone is different. I do not envy you at all, its a tough decision to make. I’m sure whatever you decide it will be whats right for your mum,

Take care and let us know what happens,

Kelly
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Hi Hazel,

I’m with everyone else - confused that they gave you an option on what drugs to use. I’d put the ball back into their court and ask if it was his mother that he had to treat what would he use??

I am on the same as Kelly the TACT2 trial Epi followed by CMF and the only choice I had was the original version of EPI /CMF or a trial which involves these drugs or a tablet form chemo to replace the CMF part.

You have too many other things to think about without having to choose what drugs you mum should have - ask them why they have given you the choice. Good luck with your decision

I’m on the second arm of TACT 2 and so far no side effects that I can’t deal with - very doable (had 5 cycles so far)