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Oncotype score of 18 - What to do re chemo!

SlightlyBewildered
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Hey Everyone

I had a phone call from my oncolgist this morning. My Onco test has come back with a score of 18. He said that his advice would be that chemo would not be necessary. It would only be of 1.5% benificial with regards to future reoccurance. Therefore the potential negative effects of chemo are outweighed by the low score. However... The final decision is up to me. First big decision I have had to make! 

 

I've had a lympectomy with clear margins. No trace in my lymph nodes. Grade 3. Hormone +. HER2 -.

 

I will definitely be having a course of radiotherapy and will be taking hormone tablets. Oncologist has said that my main defence against reocuurance will be the hormone treatment.

 

I feel in a real quandary today :(. Oncolosist said he was really pleased with my result. I have another appointment with him on 19th and definitely think I need to ask a few more questions. I still feel very in-the-dark about the likelihood of reoccurance ect. Plus I am a worrier! Will I continuoulsy be fearful if I don't have chemo?!?! I had geared myself up for the fact that I would be needing it, But in the same breath am I considering putting my body through great trauma unnecessarily! 

Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated from you amazing bunch of warriors! 

 

Sarah xxxx

  • Hello Slightlybewildered

    I'm sorry to hear of the quandary you find yourself in regarding chemo. It's obviously a big decision and one that you want to make sure is the right one for you. 

    I can see from another of your posts that you have an appointment to speak to the Oncologist again on Monday. I wondered if you might find it helpful to have a chat with one of our team of nurses ahead of that appointment. I'm sure they will be happy to talk things through with you and offer any advice and information they can as well as helping you think about points you may want to raise at the appointment on Monday. If you'd like to chat with them they're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

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    Hi I was in the same situation 2 1/2 years ago . I decided against chemo after weighing up the pros and cons. 1.5% wasn’t enough for me to put myself and my family through chemo and possibly life long side effects. The numbers just didn’t add up . I think it’s always in the back of your mind if you made the right decision but for me I feel it was and don’t dwell on it. Who is to say my cancer wouldn’t return with the chemo. I also thought if my oncologist thought it was what was needed she would have said . It’s a tough decision , I wish you well with whatever you decide. Best wishes nicky 

  • Offline in reply to nicky453

    Hi Nicky

    Thank you so much for responding. This is the toughest decision I have been faced with so far in life. 
     

    I'm still undecided. There are a couple of key questions I have for oncologist. But I do realise, like you said, that 1.5% is so low. And that the long term effects of chemo could leave me in a worse position! 
     

    Reading your reply has really helped. Thank you again for taking the time. Could I just ask how old you are? I am due to turn 49 in September xxx 

  • Offline in reply to SlightlyBewildered

    Hi I'm 49 in august but was 46 when diagnosed exactly the same as you grade 3 xx

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