Chemotherapy timescale

Hi, I think this may well depend on the type of cancer you had and how you have healed from surgery! Also I am sure there will be different time scales dependent on how busy your hospital is (sadly)!

I had a lumpectomy in Sept 2013, node clearance surgery in Oct 2013 and started Chemo in November 2013! So in my opinion unless you have had a lot of issues with healing from your surgery, then 12wks until you even see someone to discuss chemo does seem a long time! 

Do you have a BCN that you could call to ask? Or at least discuss your concerns? The only thing I will say is that following your surgery and I assume scans? You are currently Cancer free as far as they can tell. The Chemo is being offered to mop up any possible tiny stray cells. The full belt and braces treatment as it used to be referred too! 

Although I can totally understand how you just want it over and done with! Xxxx

I had my op in August and due to start chemo on Tuesday. It has been delayed a number of times due to infections and slow healing. When I spoke to my Macmillan nurse because I was concerned she assured me that the delays would not impact on the long term outcomes. I hope that helps. It is such a stressful time.

There is a lot of science around the effects of when chemo is started after surgery. NICE guidelines sist in about a month, but as HockeyNut says,  having can delay that,  and chemo definitely affects surgery.  My surgery was Mid April and then clearance end of May and chemo started mid July.  Every cycle my surgery swells and twinges and pulls during the second half. Thr guidelines state that it should be ideally stated as soon as possible and ideally within 3 months,  as the gain from chemo is reduced something like 4% of the gain ( eg.gain over 10 years is 10% would become 9.6% average).. Our hospital is struggling with a jump in breast cancer patients at TNT moment.  A radiographer was chatting to me this week, and until recently it was 1-2 women a week.  The last few months it's been 4-5 women!

Hi I start chemo today, just over 10 weeks after surgery, would that make a difference to my prognosis. Thank you xx

Hi Shaz52. I started my chemo 3 months after my op. My Macmillan nurse told me the delay would not impact on my long term outcomes.  I have just had my second year mammogram and there is no sign of cancer. I know this isn't long term but it's a relief!!! I hope everything goes well for you. Remember you can do this and you will soon be the other side of your treatment. Look after yourself. Xx

Aww thank you for your lovely reply  was you triple positive or her2 positive I think you had fec-t the same as me xxx