Breast Cancer Now Forum

This test is strictly based on probability, hence prognostic and predictive in nature .  A low score does not mean that a recurrence is ruled out and the same goes for a high score. It just tells you how to optimise your chances of preventing a future recurrence. My sister and another friend had a primary diagnosis - one is stage 0 and another stage 1 with no lymph nodes . My sister had no need for further treatment aside from surgery and my friend had 8 weeks of radiotherapy.  Both had a second Cancer - colorectal 8 and 10 years later respectively. As both were detected early and could be surgically removed, they didn’t receive further treatment either except for annual scans. That was between 4 to 6 years ago.  At that time of their primary diagnosis of Breast Cancer, the Oncotype DX test was not available. Wonder whether theirs would have been high. But so far, they had not been treated with chemo for their two Cancer events. There is no way to conduct test for all possible secondary Cancers but if your score falls slightly to the right of the cut off of 25 and if you decide against taking the chemo for all the reasons one can understand, then perhaps you would want to put in place a great exercise and diet regime and have a few Cancer markers to keep you in surveillance aside from the usual mammogram and ultrasound regime .  ... View more

Hi Dikat, Here is my favourite Shampoo for Color Treated Hair that you can try. I am using it for a long time. ... View more

Happy Birthday!!!, MBJ, I hope you read this.  Don't know how to go down this lengthy :smileylol: thread and confirm. I get my treatment in another country and remember you are the first one to welcome me to this forum (thank you) and also your birthday is the same as me in March  :smileyvery-happy: .  ... View more

It is a very interesting question, in fact, one that I have been discussing  with my daughter, as she had herself a onco result of 34, started chemo but had a really bad experience. It would be great if others could chime in, I have been researching about have or not have and I am even more confused. ... View more

My first clinical oncology appointment isn't till 9 weeks after surgery, so I still don't know if I will have chemo or not. Surgical consultant and BCN not giving any guidance either, avoiding the issue when asked, just saying I need to discuss it with oncologist. Feels like they all know the answer but nobody wants to tell me or speed up the appointment.    Nobody in my team seems concerned about the length of wait time! However I am as it is affecting some decisions we need to make as a family , but powerless to do anything. Phone calls haven't made a blind bit of difference.  ... View more

Sadly it’s pot luck. I assumed it was a bit of an exaggeration by both my oncologist and adjuvant nurse. I was wrong! I developed a simple runny nose on Saturday. By evening, my temperature was 37.7 but I felt fine. My husband insisted I rang for advice. Within an hour, I was in hospital, temperature 38.8, blood pressure in the red zone (dangerously low), fever, rigor (uncontrollable shaking) and I still only had a runny nose. I spent 3 days in ‘isolation’ in the oncology assessment unit, permanently attached to an antibiotic drip, with my temperature and blood pressure fluctuating, yet all tests revealed no obvious source of infection. And I felt fine, apart from weak. I ate more during this time than I have in weeks. Day 4 I was moved from oncology to a side room off the breast care unit and given a couple of blood transfusions. I was allowed home yesterday evening and still have my runny nose - but I have antibiotics, antiviral tablets (I have developed a cold sore) and more to add to my armoury. I have my clinic appointment tomorrow, ready to start phase 2 of my chemo. I’m hoping the weekly treatment won’t hit me as hard as the 3-weekly EC.   It must be very hard for you both, given your daughter’s health problems - but that works to your advantage in a way. You are vigilant, unlike me who was naive. I don’t remember when I last had a cold! The germs are there and virtually unavoidable. The determining factor is her blood count at that particular time. I know it’s easily said but really there is no point wasting energy worrying about the what ifs. There’s a fine line between sensible precautions and obsession. Try not to obsess about what might happen - but might not. I have to say my husband was right but his constant ‘watching’ me and pointed questions don’t help. I know it’s because he’s fearful for me but it’s hard enough dealing with myself at the moment, without having to worry about him too.   We know exactly what to look out for and the need for immediate action IF there is a spike in temperature. It isn’t an exaggeration to say every hour counts at that stage. Better to waste the hospital’s time than take any chances. I’ve learnt that I mustn’t decide for myself. I have to follow their rules - they know their business and I don’t know my body any more! But I hope I can reassure you that, if it happens, treatment is quick and effective, even when they can’t identify the cause, as in my case. ... View more

I can see several posts regarding bicarbonate, but how to use it as a mouthwash? How many spoons in a glass of water? I cannot find it anywhere! ... View more

Hi Sandra, No, it’s not just you. It’s to do with reducing spam posts in the forum for the time being.  ann x ... View more

Hi sandraindurham   I've been using a very old Boots cuticle oil and an equally old nail cream I had lying around both over 10 years old I'm afraid. I have spotted a nail cream in Boots, a branded one for around £3.60 and I would probably recommend cream over oil. I understand there is a rather expensive product you can purchase if money is no object, think it is called polybalm, but I am on a very limited budget, so it is not an option for me. ... View more

Love your reply, starting chemo soon and hope I'm like you..xx ... View more

Hi everybody, thank you so much for all your replies, it helped a lot, and in the end she just had her dressing changedby the nurse practitioner and she will have an appointment with the breast cancer nurse.  We were at the clinic and she had a sudden call basically telling her that her oncotype results were back, and the situation required an urgent appointment in two days. Just like that! We turn grey. I just do not know what to say, because everything seems disrespecteful! How may I dare saying that everything is going to be fine if I am not the one going through her treatments and pain? I just keep saying that she is an amazing, brave, courageous person. ... View more

Hello Sandraindurham, I am so sorry to hear about your daughter's diagnosis. I also saw your other Post asking about Chemo experiences. I wish your daughter all the best with the rest of her treatment. I also wish you all the best,. Your efforts to support her are admirable. Regarding the Oncotype test. I don't know if you have seen the information on this site. The link is below. You will also find links to information on chemotherapy. https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/diagnosed-breast-cancer/oncotype-dx I think scores and recommendations can vary with different age groups. Your daughter is relatively young and they will try to do the best they can to prevent recurrence. Having a low score is not a guarantee against recurrence. It all can be a game of future chance that we all aim to adapt to and live with. When your daughter has her appointment on Thursday, perhaps you can help her write down the questions she would like to ask. If you are with her, you could help write down the responses. Some people have even asked permission to record their appointments. Even if she forgets to ask something, there should always be chances later and she should have a sort of pre chemo orientation type appointment as well. In the end, it is her decision whether to sign the chemo consent forms. I noticed on the other Post, you were asking specific questions about chemo. I had 6 sessions of Fec T (no Oncotype test for me as triple positive). I also had clear nodes. . I could answer your questions but this may not be meaningful as your daughter may have a different regime. It will all make more sense when your daughtet finds out the specific chemo regime that is being recommended. The Oncologist should provide written information on each treatments with the main side effects listed and hopefully any rare ones so she is fully in the picture. They should also take into account existing conditions and can adapt treatments where possible. I know it is difficult but it really has to be one step at a time otherwise all the possible short and long term side effects can seem overwhelming and too frightening. Not everyone's nails come out and neither is everyone constantly sick. With breast cancer chemo treatment, it is very likely that all head and body hair may be lost at some point. Perhaps your daughter may be interesting in trying the cold cap before shaving her head (although I think you mentioned migraines in a previous post so not sure how this would affect them). Your daughter will be given guidance to what to look out for and when to contact the Chemo helpline or similar. I don't think any of us would chose to go through chemo of there was another way. We do get through it and we have different experiences of it along the way. Best wishes to your daughter, you and your family Chick 🐥 x ... View more

Hi Sandra, I also had a large lobular cancer which was also in 6/11 nodes. I've had mastectomy, re-excision for margins with ANC, chemo and am now finally having radiotherapy . I've been told I'm at fairly high risk of recurrence so they're throwing everything at it. I don't know the figures for improved chances offhand but I know they're pretty good with all the added treatments. If you're offered chemo I'd do it, cos it probably won't be as bad as you fear. I had pretty much no side effects and worked all the way through. ... View more

Quite often things change from the biopsy (which is only a small sample) to the mastectomy when they analyse it under the microscope. So the grade can change, as can treatment plans, for example if it is larger than they expected (often happens with lobular) or if it has spread to lymph nodes (which they can't tell until they take them out). So, it can be quite disorientating at the start, but you should be getting the same information from now on.   ... View more