so I am feeling quite angry because i was on the routine path, that starts, Oh don’t worry most lumps turn out to be nothing
I knew it was something, the GP said i don’t feel it (wtf) and, most turn out to be benign. i knew it was something.
The mammogram and ultrasound showed something, the ultrasound tech was honest, yes something, this big. The surgeon also honest, then said yeah we’re sure its something. so the options are going to be either chemo or hormone radiation. if her + chemo first, If highly hormonal its just radiation and pills for maybe 5 years. it came back high hormonal, yah! meds and radiation timeline.
oh no wait 6 weeks later the onco test is back, score of 35, so chemo is suggested, wait what?
cause your score is 35 (26 being lowest not to recommend) but you wont see a onco dr for another 2.5 weeks, so i have time to mull..
Anyway am considering not doing chemo, (horror stories, hair, pain, lose bone density) (husband says i should, but its not him so) anyone else dealing with the decision. i have seen some say no brained, do it, but i also see. i did it, did nothing, i didn’t and its still not come back. i did and 3 years later feel like crap still.
35 out of 100, but above 26 they seem to recommend. was hoping to be lucky, but 
i️t is a test they offer if you are HER 2 negative, because in the beginning it means it is generally not responsive to chemo,
EXCEPT…
they do this test and for me it turns out as possibly useful, i didn't get the test until lymph removed.
HI Djct
There is also another consideration with your decision. If you decide not to have chemo. and just have the tablets and radiation, IF it ever does come back in that breast, then you can never have radiotherapy again in the same area. Clearly that would mean having your breast removed and more than likely, chemo.
I was diagnosed nearly 6 years ago and at that time the Onco DX wasn't around that much, so I didn't have it. I was ER8 out of 8, but I don't know what my Onco DX score would have been - but I, like you was SO grateful that I didn't have to endure chemo. - sadly for you, obviously now it suggests something else. Had I had the Onco test, then I would have very reluctantly opted for chemo.
With regards to your bone density, you will go for a DEXA scan anyway (I did) and I had osteopenia (pre osteoporosis) even before taking the ER+ tablets and I was prescribed AD Cal and VIT D. Even now after taking the tablets for the full 5 years, which in themselves can contribute to osteoporosis, I still have a prescription for them. We got a dog and put up a stair gate, which I've fallen over a couple of times and tumbled down the last 2 stairs. Each time I have landed very heavily with no damage to my bones, so the AD Cal/VIT D are clearly doing their job.
Personally I would look at this way: breast cancer research is moving extremely quickly and treatments are improving all the time. Given that in 6 years this test is now normal, whereas it wasn't offered to me. And, as the treatments/research improves, life expectancy of surviving breast cancer also improves. They wouldn't offer chemo. if it was felt unnecessary. I remember as a kid in the late 70's, a friend's Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer and at that time it was automatic that we thought she wouldn't make it (she didn't) - when I was diagnosed, it was almost a given from friends and doctors "you'll be treated and then get on with your life" and that's how it was/is for me. If it wasn't for their upgraded knowledge and treatments that have happened over the last 40+ years, then our stories could be very different. So, I personally would be looking to take the guidance from the oncologists who have seen it probably 1000's of times in their job.
This tool from the NHS might be of use to you in your decision making, to see what a difference having the chemo. would make to your % score.
Hope this helps a little.
Kindest wishes, Lesley
