To chemo or not to chemo

I have er+/her2-  bc. Clear margin after surgery but sentinal node-pos. 2nd surgery, 15 further nodes removed and all neg....yay!! My dilemma now is whether to have chemo as well as radio/hc....I have no issue with the radio/hc but chemo quite frankly scares the pants off me!! Oncotype dx score 15 and am under 50yo, pre-meno with 2 young trenagers. Dx score suggests chemo will be of little to no benefit but oncologist pushing me quite hard down that route. Anyone had similar dilemma and what decision did you come to? 

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  • Hi,

    I also had an oncotype score of 15, er+ her2 neg, I had no lymph node involvement clear margins. I did not have chemo as the benefit, for me, did not out weigh the chemo fear etc. that was 2 years ago and I've just had my second clear mammogram. It is a personal decision but I spent some time researching the research done on oncotype scoring and risk v benefits. I was 49 when I was diagnosed and have 2 children. It is difficult but the scoring system put the benefit of chemo for me at 4%.

    maybe ask your oncologist why they think it's advisable, mine did not suggest I should have chemo as post surgery my tumour was downgraded from a grade 3 to grade 2.

    good luck in your decision making and do what's best for you. I did have radiotherapy and I am now on tamoxifen for 5 years xx

  • 123nelly Thank you for sharing and I do hope results of your 2nd mammo are in your favour!! My oncologist is very pro-chemo which stems from their own personal experience. By their own admission, other oncologists may suggest chemo not of significant benefit! I've been researching ODX results and there's not quite so much available for those that are er+/her2-/N1+/pre-meno. References of reliability of scoring for those that are node+ generally lean towards post-meno. It's such a minefield of information to try to process and all I really want and need is to find all the info in layman's terms!! Haven't found that yet though!! 

  • Hello K5001

    I just wanted to pop on and suggest that you might want to give our team of nurses a call. They can't advise you on what to do but I'm sure they will be happy to talk things through with you and explain in layman's terms some of the information that you would like clarified to help make your decision. 

    They're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    Best wishes 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

Reply
  • Hello K5001

    I just wanted to pop on and suggest that you might want to give our team of nurses a call. They can't advise you on what to do but I'm sure they will be happy to talk things through with you and explain in layman's terms some of the information that you would like clarified to help make your decision. 

    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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