From HIGH DCIS to 7MM invasive - HER2 + need advice chemo or not to chemo
hi there, I am new to this forum and currently going through breast cancer treatment right now. So far, I have had a skin-sparing mastectomy DIEP to the right breast on the 23rd October last year. My results show they found 7mm invasive tissue, that my sentinel lymph node was clear and I am Her2 positive…
I am in that grey area of whether or not to have chemo combined with Herceptin.
By using the Predict tool my oncologist said I am deemed low risk and its the difference of only 1% - 2 % on survival rate in having the chemo treatment or not. Sounds great but sods law I could be one of the 5% in a 100.
Broken down it showed an 85% survival rate over 10 years (10 people will die from heart attacks liver disease etc… and 5 from the breast cancer itself so really talking in terms of surviving Breast cancer as a 95% survival rate.
Even though my lymph is clear there is no way of knowing if it has shed any micro cells that can get through via the blood supply and bypass the lymph anyway.
As mentioned previously on the predict tool, I have a 85% of surviving the breast cancer. So there could be a 5% chance it may have got through to my body - then I could be in real trouble. But I am deemed as low risk.
The consultant said if my invasive area was less than 5mm she would dissuade me from further treatment - if it was over 10mm she would strongly recommend the chemo etc. As I am 7mm invasive, I am in that grey area, so she leaves the patient to decide - so I am in a real dilemma and would love to hear other experiences to help me make my decision.
I hope this all makes sense and look forward to any advice. No one ever wants to be in this situation and I am so sorry to see so many of you are going through so much 💕
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Hi jeaniebeanie,
I think since it is a gray area it comes down to your preference. If you don't get the chemo, and the cancer comes back in a few years, would you regret not having had more aggressive treatment? Or do you see yourself being at peace with it?
I suspect that in your feet I would choose chemo, but I had two 10 year olds when diagnosed, and my cancer was very agressive. I went full kitchen sink with every aspect of my cancer treatment, but not everybody does.
Also, your surgery was after treatment (Herceptin) or before? ie do you know what effect did the treatment had in the cancer? Are you also hormone positive?
Maybe get a second opinion somewhere else to confirm all the numbers and chances and then ask yourself the regret question.
Best of luck with everything.
LaughingGull
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hi laughingGull thanks for answering my post. I was diagnosed and then had surgery straight away to remove all breast tissue and the nipple. Then from there the pathology shows I am GRADE 2 / ER PR negative BUT Her2 positive. If I had been Her2 -negative, I wouldn't require any further treatment, but being Her2 positive - and as you have suggested I already have a 2nd opinion appt booked. Just wanted to know others experiences, similar to mine - to try and make my decision. Will keep asking the questions and I am sure I will come to the right decision for me. Wishing all the best of luck to you too.
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@jeaniebeanie Hi there, I can relate to your story. I was found to have a large area hi-grade dcis approx 5cm in left breast with 1.3 mm invasive focus. Hormone neg, Her 2+. I had BMX as my only treatment. No radiation and no chemo though I have positive dcis margins. My oncologist said that my risk for recurrence is low at 5% but I still worry. My oncologist sees me every 6 months for next 5years. I'm approaching 2 years this Feb and I'm already nervous, as I know recurrence risk peaks around year 3. I was offered radiation but not chemo because of small tumor size. I declined radiation as I didn't want to risk cardiac issues as most recurrences are distant, not local with her2+.
I hope that helps. I guess I would ask if herceptin without chemo would be an option for you?
Good luck and please keep us posted about what you decide!
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