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Alternatives to Chemotherapy

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Montgomery, AL

Greetings! I had surgery two days ago to remove a mass from my breast that was cancerous. With the healing started, I've been doing a LOT of reading on various treatments. The cancer is Stage one and the oncologist has already mentioned 12 rounds of chemotherapy starting in August. There was no offer of alternatives which I would prefer. Reading about chemotherapy doesn't sound good as an outcome where I won't be able to function. I would like to get some feedback on what others did and their… read more

June 11
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A MyBCTeam Member

TNBC, the only thing that treats it is chemo.
Like Virginia said, not fun, but doable. I am glad it did chemo. I am now 7+ years out if treatment for the most lethal type of breast cancer

June 11
A MyBCTeam Member

Hi Mariko, my diagnosis at 62 was HER2+, Stage 2, Grade 3 (aggressive) but clear lymph nodes. Like you I started researching, but found that HER2+ is known for being aggressive, and the doctor that went over my pathology report said that the highest combined score to determine a Grade 3 is 9, and I had scored a 9, looking for extra credit!

I did not like the odds I read re: HER2+, and went with the conventional treatment of chemo and targeted therapy. The protocols are long, it took a little over a year to complete, but the targeted drugs are very effective. Before the FDA approval of Herceptin, HER2+ patients only had about a 50% chance- even with early stage- of not having it recur within 5 years.

Chemo, while not fun, is do-able, there are meds to offset many of the common side effects, and we will share any tips and tricks that helped us get through. I worked throughout my treatment, and I am now 6 years out of treatment, and so far, so good! All that being said, it is your body, and your choice as to how you proceed. Keeping you in prayers as your research, and make the decisions that are right for you! Hugs!

June 11
MyBCTeam

First of all, congratulations on getting through surgery — that's a huge step, and it makes complete sense that you're now diving into research mode. Knowledge is power!

For Stage 1 breast cancer, treatment plans are highly personalized. Beyond chemotherapy, there are several other treatment options that your oncologist Show Full Answer

First of all, congratulations on getting through surgery — that's a huge step, and it makes complete sense that you're now diving into research mode. Knowledge is power!

For Stage 1 breast cancer, treatment plans are highly personalized. Beyond chemotherapy, there are several other treatment options that your oncologist may consider, either alone or in combination:

- Surgery (which you've already had — go you!)
- Radiation therapy to target any remaining cancer cells in the breast area
- Hormone therapy (if your cancer is hormone receptor-positive) to block hormones that fuel cancer growth
- Targeted therapy which zeroes in on specific proteins on cancer cells
- Immunotherapy which helps your immune system fight cancer cells It's also worth knowing that newer testing methods, like Oncotype DX, can help determine whether chemotherapy is truly likely to benefit you. This means some people with early-stage breast cancer may be able to avoid chemotherapy altogether if it's unlikely to help.

Asking your oncologist about this test is absolutely worth bringing up at your next appointment. A MyBCTeam member shared something really encouraging — she advocated strongly for herself when a treatment wasn't working for her, and her oncologist switched her plan. She advises others to keep looking until they find a doctor who truly listens.

Getting a second opinion from another oncologist is always a valid option. It can give you more confidence in whatever path you choose, and most doctors fully support it. You are absolutely in the driver's seat here!

June 11

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