My friend is 29 years old and has recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 Mammary Ductal Carcinoma. This is her second cancer diagnosis in less than two years. When first diagnosed with Stage 2, she chose to not treat her cancer beyond a double mastectomy and eating a macrobiotic diet. (Doctors advised against this.) Now her cancer is back and has spread to her vertebra, lungs, clavical and ribs. I understand the need for positive thinking, however, she still believes alternative therapy will save her and is refusing to consider any traditional options. She is also holding steadfast in her belief that this disease in 100% curable, although I have been unable to find any research that supports this. I know it is important to be supportive, but does anyone happen to know the outcome of this type of treatment? What is her life expectancy without treatment? She is currently in hospital having her implants removed due to the fact that the tumor on her clavical has grown so quickly in the past month that it is causing extreme pressure on her breast. In addition, she seems to have a bevy of doctors, all unrelated to each other and not working as a team, some not even aware of the other. I know that my only option here is to be supportive of her decisions, I would just like to have some kind of an idea of a time frame. Thanks in advance, Hillary.
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Q: Stage IV Mammary Ductal Carcinoma Questions
Hilary, I'm so sorry to hear this news about your friend. As you have observed, choosing to treat a Stage II cancer with only surgery and diet is not usually effective, especially in such a young woman whose breast cancer is more likely to be an aggressive form. Is there someone she trusts who can encourage her to consider more aggressive treatment this time around? Or to at least get her care coordinated?
As far as your question about how long a Stage IV patient can live without treatment, it is hard to say because people vary so much. I've known people who've lived years with mets (metastasis), and some whose mets have stabilized, shrunk, or in a few cases even disappeared. The people I know with those results sought aggressive chemo and/or radiation depending on where the cancer went.
Phyllis is right, Hillary. There are just so many, many variables; each woman's cancer is her own personal experience. So there's really no telling for sure what her prognosis is. As Phyllis said, obviously she'd have a much better chance if she chose traditonal treatment. But in the end, it's her body, her life. I think you can support her right to decide what she wants to do, without supporting her actual decision. I'd try to gently persuade her to get some treatment, if she wants to prolong her life... I'm sorry she's going through this, and you, too. I hope things improve for you both- PJH
II had Stage II 4 years ago, went through chemo, radiations 3 lumpectomies. In 2 years it came back Stage III. Just fiinished the masectomy surgery. I totally understand using alternative methods, I regret having gone through traditional channels. I lost a precious year of my young life and it didn't work. the side efeects have changed my life and from this point on I too will be using traditianl methods. All my best to Hillary shirley
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