Has anyone refused chemo for breast cancer? I have been thinking over the past few days and I’m just not prepared to put my body through that. I’ll have the op and radiotherapy but that’s as far as I’m going to go with it. Xx
I've been told chemo will only give me a 3-4% survival benefit over 10yrs. Can't judge whether it's worth it or not. Also, the covid risk - the thought of no human contact during this emotionally taxing period of my life - it feels like the mental toll will be too great. Don't want to ravage my body more than necessary but obvs don't fancy dying yet either! I'm 45, fit and active. My sister's chemo (for the same cancer but in more lymph nodes) ravaged her body with long term nasty side effects - but she's still here 9yrs after her diagnosis. AWFUL choices!!
Are you aware that there are different types of chemo? Some are a lot more taxing than others. Don't be afraid to discuss these with your oncologist or consultant.
You will never be forced to have any particular treatment, but I sincerely hope that, whatever decisions you all reach, it turns out to be the right one for each and every one of you.
I'm facing this decision too. Diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer at the end of March. Encouraged to have a mastectomy but opted for a lumpectomy. This was successful in removing the cancer from my breast but the sentinel lymph node had cancer cells so against my gut feeling I had an axillary lymph node removal. Their was also successful and my remaining lymph nodes were all clear. My oncologist now wants me to have chemo and radiotherapy.
I really don't want it when it's just precautionary considering all the side effects and also during the pandemic so will put me at greater risk. I'm a lone parent too and the thought of going through chemo and trying to cope with both my mental and physical health feels me with absolute dread then coupled with the short and long term side effects of chemo.
It's such a hard decision to make. I've agreed to the radiotherapy and been referred for a full body scan, which I have been requesting since my original diagnosis. The oncologist said due to time then it may be too late to wait 4 weeks for a scan which might not pick up any other cancer when he wants me to start chemo next week.
Feel very pressured into having chemo and speaking to the oncologist later on.
Wish it was more simple.
The pressure of weighing up all the pros and con's feels worse than the original diagnosis
I agree that this is a horrible position to find yourself in. Do you know what grade your cancer was? The answer to this should help you to decide. Triple negative is unfortunately, an aggressive form of breast cancer, which is probably why your surgeon wanted to carry out a mastectomy.
I am not a doctor, but as far as I understand it, if there is lymph node involvment, then chemo is usually advised.
It is virtually impossible for you to weigh up the pros and cons by yourself. Why not draw up a list of questions about chemo? You could then ask your oncologist to answer these and, weigh up the odds for you.
The final decisuion is naturally up to you and, I sincerely hope that you reach the right choice for you.
I joined a wonderful facebook group specifically about triple negative breast cancer. The lovely ladies on there have explained everything brilliantly. And as much as I really don't want chemo, who does hey, they have made me see the importance of doing so. So I shall start it this week sometime after I have spoken to the oncologist again today. Wish everything had been explained better at the hospital and the breast consultant didn't say I was cancer clear because they don't really know for certain do they? I understand that now.
So I think now that I am more clear on matters I would advise anybody to have everything offered, unless there is an age thing maybe and it's quality rather than quantity. But I'm in my early 40's so here's to the next 5 months. Be over by Christmas
I can't comment on how effective chemo would be in your case but what I can tell you is that I also have breast cancer with lymph node involvement and I started my chemo 10 days ago. I too was absolutely terrified before it (I think it was up there as one of my worst nightmares!) but my initial experiences have been 10 times better than what I had initially expected.. I just expected to feel awful and for the whole thing to be terrifying but actually I felt fine apart from being a little tired for a couple of days and feeling slightly nauseus on the day of chemo - which passed after 20-30 minutes. I also felt an overwhelming sense of relief that I was getting treatment. I know it's early days yet and I will feel more of a build up later on, but these early stages have given me some confidence in the process.
I know everyone responds differently but it's possible it could turn out to be quite different to what you expect.
I am in the same position now as you were in July and I'm just wondering how you got on with your chemo?
I was diagnosed with TNBC just before Christmas. The tumour was only small and I was recommended to have a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node removal. I have had this done and all has come back clear.
I am now being advised to have 8 rounds of chemo once every 3 weeks, with 4 different drugs, 2 for 4 weeks and another 2 for the final 4 weeks. Which will be followed by radiotherapy.
I am so scared about having the chemo and the damage it can do, physically and mentally. I am 42 and have a 5 year old daughter and I really don't know what to do for the best.
I would really appreciate hearing about your experience. I hope alls as well as it can be and you're feeling good.
I am so glad to hear that you now have a better understanding of why you've been recommended to have chemo. I hope that your chat with the Oncologist today went well and that you now have a starting date for your chemo. Never be afraid to ask questions of your care team if you don't understand what is going on.
This may be a tough year for you, but you are young and, have many more years ahead of you. This time next year you can look back on this as an experience and, get on with the rest of your life.
