Do I have chemotherapy?

After mastectomy and lymph node clearance 2 lymph nodes had cancer. So had CT scan and thankfully it came back clear. 

Cancer was large but very slow growing and hormone receptive.  I Will have radiotherapy and hormone suppressant  but they have offered chemotherapy.  Although I don't necessarily need it.  Also can do optima study so tests decide if chemotherapy is needed. 

Do I put my body through chemotherapy to kill cancer cells which aren't showing up but may or may not be there.  Considering the damage chemotherapy causes.

Or is my fear of chemotherapy clouding my judgement!

Any one else been in this situation? 

  • Hi do you have a specialist nurse to talk to. I've just completed treatment for a different cancer and I had a very honest nurse, every time I was unsure about something I spoke to her and she told me what she would do if it was her or one of her family which helped me make my decisions. Good luck with everything. Xx

  • I've recently been diagnosed with Leukaemia. I've had three bouts of chemotherapy injections in the stomach. Apart from a very sore stomach, I've had no ill effects. But that's just my experience. Back on chemo after Christmas.

  • Hi, thank you for your response.  That is really good that you have had no side effects.  They do say that everyone reacts differently. 

    I joined the Optima study so the prosigna test decided my treatment.  I was lucky enough that my score came back low and test recommended hormone therapy only as didn't show I would benefit from chemotherapy.  I'm now on hormone therapy for 10 years. 

    I hope you have a good rest  over Christmas before you get back to chemotherapy in the new year.