Grade 2 ER+ HER-2- breast cancer with 1 lymph node positive - chemo?

Hi Dalhia I am in pretty much the same boat. I have my first chemo session booked for next week but still very much undecided about the chemo route. I’m 46 fit, healthy and full of life and as far as I am aware cancer free. I keep asking myself why you would put such toxins in my body just as a precautionary measure. Please let me know what you decide. I know this is of no help but it is comforting to know I’m not the only one thinking of refusing chemo x

Hi. I have grade 2 lobular breast cancer. I am 44. No lymph node involvement. Had lumpectomy , got margins. Oncotype score21 but oncologist advised no chemo as lobular - having radiotherapy at the moment and have zoladex injections and letrozole tablets (premenopausal). Probably isn’t much help for you, hope your oncologist can offer good supportive information to help u make an informed decision. Best of luck 

1. Hi Curly6. It is such a grey area and so difficult to way up how much impact this treatment will have on reoccurrence risk. I am building up a bank of questions for the oncologist and feel at the moment I have going to need some persuading. Being fit and healthy, I know I can do whatever it takes, but I will need convincing this is going to be worth it! I do hope your treatment goes as well as these things can and thank you for sharing your story with me. All the best x

Thank you for replying and I am interested in asking the oncologist about the Onctotype Score as this could be another useful layer of information to inform my decision. Best of luck to you with your treatment, and beyond. X

I asked about an Oncotype test but my oncologist said it was only for post menopausal woman. Be interested to see if yours say the same

Hi. I was the same. Same cancer and one node involved. I had a second opinion re chemo choice. Both oncologists say if I was them they wouldnt have chemo as risks outweigh the benefit. However I did agree to pay for an oncotype dx test as it actually looks at the genomes in my cancer tumour and came back with a low score of 11. If it was less that 25 I wouldn’t have chemo. I am post menopausal however I know of people pre menopausal who have had the test to help their chemo decision. Scores differently if your younger 18 and less is low reoccurrence. Ask for the test. You may have to pay as you have one node involved but it’s worth every penny. If my score was high I’d be having chemo xx 

Hi Gwills. This is really interesting and I will enquire about the test. Having chemo is significant and have a score would be another layer of information to help make this decision. Thank you for sharing this with me. X

It helped me make the decision. What was your predict score percentage with chemo. (Benefit percentage 

Hi. Do you massage the cording? Nurse told me to massage really firmly in the armpit when showering. Really helped. So does swimming.  

I don’t know about that …will ask when I meet with the oncologist…a really helpful question thank you.