Chemo during covid19

Hello Audrey 66

How sure is your oncologist that you are HER2 positive?  If you read my profile you will see that following my request for retests I was found not to be HER2 positive after all, but HER2 negative and no chemo or Herceptin therefore needed.  Perhaps you could ask for HER2 retest? 

Perhaps you could ask your oncologist to put your details into the NHS Predictor site and find out what your chances of cure are with chemo and then without?

I am ER Positive and from the NHS Predictor site I found that taking Tamoxifen for 5 years increased my cure chances by only 2% from 81% to 83% so I declined it avoiding all the nasty possible side effects.  Something like this might help you make the right decision.

If you can isolate totally for the whole time of going through chemo and chemo could be done at home then that might be a better option that not doing it at all and risking cancer spread.  We none of us know how long we will be facing this Coronavirus and we might find it is with us for years.  Can your chemo wait for years?

I don't envy you having to make this decision, my heart goes out to you

Good luck

Best wishes - J x

Hi  I've just looked at your profile and I'd be sure that they are correct it is HER2+ based on the size of the tumour as very small ones are most likely to be borderline.  As you can't have the Herceptin without chemo, and they both add to your chances of avoiding a recurrence it's probably a good idea, though obviously thr choices is yours.  Risk factors for Corona virus are  if someone in your household is a key worker (so more exposed), and how you will get to and from the hospital, though overall risk is small. The hospital itself should have hot and cold zones,  so the staff and patients in the chemo suite  don't mix with anyone who is likely to have the virus or be testing and treating them. You can look at Breast Predict and input your data to calculate the figures. Margaret x

Hello Londonmumof2 & Audrey66

The size of the tumour has got nothing to do with whether you are HER2 positive or negative.  HER2 tests are looking to see if the cells that normally repair damage to the cells of the breast are acting normally or reproducing at an abnormal rate.

I had bowel cancer 5 years ago and needed chemo for that and right through that treatment my white blood cells that are responsible for immunity were always very high and therefore I was at no extra risk to infections.  I am sure your white blood cell count would be closely monitored right through your chemo therapy treatment and the chemo postponed until the white blood count rose to normal again should they drop to a very low level.

Please check, but I think you will find that chemo can under certain circumstances be arranged at home during these unprecedented times

J x

Hi J Thank you for your very comprehensive reply. It is a really fine line between the pros and cons of chemotherapy v just tamoxifen and radiotherapy. I think the consultant is positive about the HER2 + but the oncologist is wary of giving chemotherapy during covid19, however the chemotherapy unit has been separated from the main hospital it’s the risk of bacterial infection needing IV antibiotics that’s worrying. 
How did you find out the figures about taking tamoxifen? I am both ER + and - so I’m not sure what this means.

Hello Audrey66

Just ask your oncologist for the statistics and they can tell you.  I don't think some oncologists like to give out this information unless asked as they do not know how patients will react to the information given to them.  This information is available from all oncologists, so as I say you just need to ask.

J X

Hello Audrey66

I forgot to say that I have no idea how you can be both ER positive and ER negative at the same time.  I suggest you ask your oncologist to clarify this with you.

J x

My hospital have borrowed a mobile chemo unit so it is separate from the main hospital,the worrying part is if I get a high temperature which I understand often happens with the drugs I may need to go into hospital for antibiotics and i may be exposed to covid19 while there with lower immune system. My household can totally isolate as we have been furloughed so that’s not a worry. 

Sorry it is ER+ and PR+

Hi Audrey66

ER is estrogen and PR is progesterone.  If you are positive with both it means your cancer is stimulated and grows with estrogen and progesterone hormones so the tablets they give you are hormone blockers.  Have a look at this website https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=breast+cancer+er+pr+positive+her2+positive

Best wishes - J x

HI Audrey66/68

The high temperature to which you refer is as a result of having developed an infection due to a low white blood cell count and lack of immunity

J x