2nd lumpectomy and awaiting oncotype DX test

I hope you get a low score and if not, finding yourself in the grey area must be better than finding you have a high score! The oncodx test wasn’t offered to me as I have triple negative BC, however I had a similar dilemma. An early stage tumour, clear margins, clear lymph nodes, but a type notorious for early recurrence. Recurrence would only occur if stray cells had already spread through my blood stream with no way of knowing whether they had or not. I really didn’t like the idea of chemo but there aren’t any other ways of reducing the risk of recurrence with TNBC. I spent a lot of time researching it as I knew the relative benefit for me was probably quite low. I was not too concerned about the immediate side effects of chemo but was worried about whether it would damage me for the longer term. For example peripheral neuropathy or heart damage. I had 2 meetings with oncology, the second with the departmental head, trying to get underneath my personal risk of recurrence (couldn’t really do that) and my personal risk from the chemo (got quite a bit of reassurance on that). I did accept chemo. I have had 4 rounds of EC and will be having 12 weeks of Paclitaxel shortly. Then radiotherapy. All the best.

Hi Hennie, I had an oncotype score of 28 (25 or less being the desired score to avoid chemo), my oncologist advised going down the chemo route, but I had the choice to refuse it; but who is going to refuse it when the “specialist” advises you to go for it. She did say that BC mets are the hardest to treat… “S**t!” I thought! So decided to go for it. I’ve now finished my journey (I had radiotherapy afterwards too). I managed 4 out of 6 chemos because the 4th one was hard, the first three were a breeze to be honest (but everyone is different). Anyway, you may be lucky and get a good score. But don’t worry to much if you do have to have chemo, it’s certainly do-able and not necessarily the nightmare one often expects and you can always call a halt to it or an adjustment in your dosage. Do the best you can to beat this! Lots of love and luck to you xxxx

Thanks Mazz for your reply. I still haven’t had the results yet of Oncotype that will be 3 weeks on Monday coming and I’ve had my further op to remove some more of tissue for clear area and all went well. I will take advice from consultant and I know it will be for the best if I have to get it. Can I ask about your side effects of the chemo? Was there hair loss ? I do hope you are doing ok Mazz xxxx

Hi Coddfish thank you for your reply. I had my second op and all went well. I am still awaiting my results from oncotype test and do whatever they suggest.  I hope you are doing ok. Take care and best wishes 

Sorry for late reply! Yes there was plenty of hair loss! . But it’s worth it for a clean bill of health. The side effects from my first three chemos were very mild, just a bit if tiredness, I continued with my keep fit classes. But my fourth was awful, fluey achey sick every thing. But we’re all differ, you may be fine if you need it.  xxx