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Chemotherapy or radiation and endocrine medication alone

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
New York, NY

I had a lumpectomy for stage 0 DCIS and stage 1 invasive cancer, grade 3 triple positive breast cancer. I have chronic illnesses and have been cleared by specialists for chemotherapy Taxol and hercipton, but I don't feel secure taking this route, so the other option the medical oncologist gave me was endocrine medication and radiation. Has anyone experienced a similar situation or choose to go the route of no chemotherapy or radiation HER2 targeted therapy. The decision is stressful but I have… read more

October 27
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A MyBCTeam Member

Sharon, this HER2+ gal will be keeping you in prayers as you weigh all the info to make your decisions. I was 62 when diagnosed, IDC, Stage 2, Grade 3 (aggressive) one tumor at 2.7 cm- but clear lymph nodes. Before Herceptin, no matter how early they caught it, HER2+ had dismal outcomes. Having a targeted drug was such a game changer, that a book (and movie) was made about the development and dramatic risk improvements. I don't know what your other chronic illnesses are (I have Crohns) but keep all your specialists in the loop, so everyone can watch out for you- from their own unique perspectives. BTW, I am now 6 years out of treatment, and so far, so good! Good luck! Hugs!

October 28
A MyBCTeam Member

Research has shown that chemotherapy and immune therapy is the best way to prevent recurrence with Her2+. Her2+ is a very aggressive form of breast cancer.
You could ask your doctor the risk of recurrence with and without treatment, and if you can live with those odds, you may have your answer.
I am TNBC, which is also very aggressive and is the most lethal. I wanted to every thing I could to be here for my family. That was 8 years ago.
It is a personal decision.
Wishing you well!

October 28
A MyBCTeam Member

I didn't think about the odds versus the risk. I will discuss it with my oncologist, Thank you, Laura

October 28
MyBCTeam

What a tough spot to be in — having to weigh treatment options when you're already managing so much. That kind of decision carries real weight, and it makes complete sense that you're feeling stressed.

Some MyBCTeam members have shared similar crossroads moments, especially when chronic illnesses complicate treatment Show Full Answer

What a tough spot to be in — having to weigh treatment options when you're already managing so much. That kind of decision carries real weight, and it makes complete sense that you're feeling stressed.

Some MyBCTeam members have shared similar crossroads moments, especially when chronic illnesses complicate treatment choices. Many have found that getting a second opinion helped them feel more confident in their final decision — it doesn't have to delay treatment and can bring real peace of mind. Here's a quick breakdown of what each path generally involves for your situation:

Chemotherapy + HER2-targeted therapy (Taxol/Herceptin):
- Targets and kills cancer cells throughout the body
- Helps reduce the risk of cancer returning
- Can have significant side effects, especially with existing health conditions

Radiation + Endocrine (hormone) therapy:
- Radiation targets remaining cells after lumpectomy
- Endocrine therapy blocks hormone receptors to reduce recurrence risk
- Generally less intensive than chemotherapy Because your cancer is triple positive (hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive), both hormone therapy and HER2-targeted therapy are relevant to your treatment plan. The right balance depends on factors like tumor size, lymph node involvement, and your overall health.

Your oncology team can help weigh the risks and benefits specific to your case. Don't hesitate to ask them directly: *"What happens to my recurrence risk if I choose radiation and endocrine therapy without chemotherapy?"* That answer could help guide your decision.

October 27

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