That's a real tough call. since we're not medical professionals.  Though keep in mind that certain chemo drugs can only be used once.  This is something I am figuring out as a 2-peater.

My 1st time around with Stage 11a Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, grade 3, her2 negative - I was given an A/C combo every other week for 4 total sessions.  Now 3 years later with a recurrence in my chest wall, I was given 31 sessions of radiation and will follow up with a Taxol based chemo regimen for 4 sessions (likely 1 every other week.)  The docs beleive that my cancer returned caused the Femara failed to keep the estrogen from binding to the one tiny little missed cancer cell that was left behind - so it just grew over the course of 3 years.....even though I had a mastectomy and chemo.  If I had done radiation then, they beleive that it would not have returned as radiation is a localized therapy that kills calls at the source and chemo is a systematic therapy that kills rouge cells wondering the body or that has spread.

If you choose to do A/C & Taxol, I understand that it will potentially mess up your options if the cancer were to ever return, which is something to discuss with your doctor.  Our advice should not replace that of a doctor's - but please consider all options and discuss them thoroughly.  Everyone's cancer, as well as their treatment is different, so you need to do what is best for you.

Good luck!

Angi

I was diagnosed with Stage 0, non-invasive DCIS 7 months ago. I turned up ER-/PR- and was told that chemotherapy/radiation was unnecessary as Tamoxifen/Arimidex would not be of any use because of my negative status. I had a total mastectomy of my left breast 6 months ago. I don't have any idea if I am her2 positive. My oncologist has never mentioned this to me. How worried should I be?

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

11/20/09 10:04pm

Hi - I'd ask your oncologist if you had the FISH or other HER2-neu test done on the cancerous tissue removed along with your mastectomy. It's usual to do that test, so I'd assume they did. Aince you didn't hear anything, I'd also assume you were negative (no problem). But I'd ask, jsut to be sure.

 

Stage 0 cancer is considered 99% curable, so I'd guess you don't need to worry too much. It might be a tiny bit dicier due to your cancer not being hormone-receptive, but then again, at stage 0 and with a mastectomy, I'd think you've taken care of business. But, as I said before, best to talk to your oncologist about any doubts and fears, OK? Good luck - PJH