Chemotherapy or no chemotherapy?

I was diagnosed with Tnbc in May and had lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I refused chemotherapy due to the stats that chemo would only reduce my recurrence by 10% and I really didn’t want chemo. I also felt, rightly or wrongly, that I just wanted tumour out asap, which thankfully was done 5 weeks after diagnosis. I didn’t want the tumour still there until after chemotherapy, which was the recommended way for me, ie, chemotherapy, lumpectomy then radiotherapy I had no spread to lymph nodes. Radiotherapy was then done 7 weeks after op and I didn’t find it bad at all.

i am happy with my choice, but it is a personal choice, only you can decide what is ok for you. I am , as far as I know ok, not due to go back unless I feel unwell or develop symptoms, next visit will be mammogram in July a year after op. I just think tumour gone, any stray cells in breast gone that’s me fine now. My way of dealing with it all I suppose.

Good luck whatever you decide , take care , live life. X

Thank you for your reply, appreciated. I was told they should have given pre surgery chemo but in my case it was too risky. It was therefore a surprise to suggest more aggressive chemo after surgery but with great risks. I appreciate you sharing your choice and details. I’m certainly considering the same. All the best to you and thanks again 

I had a small stage 1 grade 3 TNBC with no lymph node involvement. I had surgery then chemo. I became ill with infected diverticulitis during chemo and had a CT scan. The scan found a secondary tumour in my liver. Chemo saved my life but not in the way I expected. I was able to go on and have immunotherapy which resolved the secondaries and I have been in remission since. I was probably de novo metastatic, vascular invasion was my additional risk factor. 

Many thanks for your response and details. I have been diagnosed with diverticulosis following my ovarian cancer surgery and am still awaiting the referral appointment (7months waiting) and have an existing liver condition (autoimmune) so that’s very interesting. I can’t have immunotherapy due to autoimmune conditions. Appreciate you replying. Thank you and all the best