Grade 3 Triple negative breast cancer

Hi,

I had Triple negative breast cancer back in 2012 also removed by lumpectomy with no nodes involved so was pretty lucky too. After the lumpectomy I had 6 rounds of FEC chemo followed by radiotherapy. I was told at the time that triple negative is an aggresive form of cancer so they offer treatments to reduce the chances of a recurrance. I was just 34 when diagnosed, fit and healthy so although chemo was not nice it was doable. 8 years on and no reacurrance, who knows it wasn't the chemo and radio that has prevented it returning so if given the option of further treatment and you are otherwise healthy then its a no brainer for me. I would definitey go through it. 

Best of luck and wishes for you in the future.

Helen xx

I too had op then 6 FEC chemo and radiotherapy back in 2013 and doing well into my 7th year. I would say the same, preventative treatment was definitely the right choice for me. Personal choice tho.

All the best x

Thank you Helen good to hear you are cancer free now.its been very sad to read about others who has had their treatments and the cancer has come back.have you ever read of anyone who has had radiation therapy only.the more I read about chemotherapy and the side effects and recovery the more I’m worried.

Hi, thanks for your reply good to hear it’s been successful for you.im 65yr old and have a pacemaker,had it fitted last November.my breast cancer is on the left not far from it.im sure the oncologist had dealt with people with pacemaker but it really frightens me about having to go through chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Hi 

There is this info page about having Radiotherapy with a Pacemaker fitted at Cancer Research UK (CRUK)

Regarding chemotherapy with your pacemaker, this will need discussing with your oncologist as to any risks as some chemo drugs can affect the heart - no doubt they have come across this before and will have a plan. There are many different chemo drugs to choose from that are more heart friendly.

Hugs, G n' J

Hi thank you so much for the reply,I will take your advice and look into it, it will certainly help and be prepared to ask the questions when I meet my oncologist on the 27th.

Much appreciated 

Morning

Fingers crossed you get supportive information on the 27th. Do get back to us and spill the beans as to your treatment plan.

Meanwhile if you come across any other questions or are in need of some support; just holler

Hugs, G n' J

Hi jedselvi, 

Yep me too! But I can't give advice because I'm looking for some too!  I had surgery on 20 Dec and was  told (originally)  I would need radiotherapy but probably not chemo. Surgery was successful  small 9mm tumour, clear margins, no lymph node  involvement  - but then the surgeon suddenly said that I should talk to an oncologist about chemo. I was totally unprepared for this.  

Saw the oncologist on Monday. He was kind, informative, answered all the questions I could think of at the time but - bottom line sent me away with descriptions of two chemo regimes (FEC and FEC-T), a long list of potential side effects, and access to the NHS PREDICT tool that gives predicted 5 / 10 and 15 year survival rates for different types of chemo. What he wouldn't do was give any kind of recommendation about the way forward. Just suggested I should ring his secretary when I had decided what to do.  

I realise that I'm being offered chemo because NICE guidelines say in this situation its available, and that i'm not getting a positive recommendation to take it because the extra benefit from chemo for me is not great  (3.3% at 10 years with FEC or  5.5 % at 10 years with FEC-T).

I was a basket case on Monday but on Tuesday went to the local Maggies cancer clinic and spoke to some lovely specialist nurses who at least helped to calm me down enough to start thinking about the decision. 

I'm leaning towards the FEC-T route just because it seems to offer the most benefit. But I'm 66, already have some issues with my knees and a history of periodic depression.  If I could know that I'll come out at the other end of this with no lasting damage to body or mind then of course I'd take the chemo option. Also my lovely husband is 75 and the best carer in the world. But what effect will 6 months of my chemo put on him. I just don't know what to do and not sure how to make a decision.  Sorry - probably not at all helpful to you. 

Hi joanf

it is confusing, I have got my appointment on Monday 27th don’t really know what the oncologist going to advice me, it does sound so confusing, I hope my cancer nurse is going to help me understand what’s what, a little bit confused as to why they would want us to make our mind up to which treatment to choose it’s confusing enough to learn about what grade 3 triple negative breast cancer is, how are we left to decide what treatment to choose.Thank you so much for the info pls let me know which path you decided to take.

good luck 

Hi Jedselvi, 

It sounds as if our pathology is quite similar. I'm just about to put mine in my profile if you care to look. 

Bit of a rough day today - probably because I'm getting stressed out about the decision and over-thinking it. 

I'd be interested in what your oncologist advises (only of course what you care to share) 

Would it be OK if I add you as a friend? 

I'm Val BTW, For some reason I signed up with my Mums name 

Vx