Personal stories about choosing chemotherapy for breast cancer

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Personal stories about choosing chemotherapy for breast cancer

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

Laurel, age 43: I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years ago. It was quite a shock. Even though my breast cancer was small and I did not have any cancer cells in my lymph nodes, I decided to take chemotherapy. My doctor said that even though it would not guarantee that the cancer would not come back, it would improve my chances for a cure. I was really worried about the side effects, but they were not that bad. I just wanted to do everything in my power to beat this breast cancer. My checkups have been fine so far, so I think I made the right choice.

Marty, age 56: I was diagnosed with breast cancer about 3 years after I went through menopause. My breast cancer was small, and I did not have any cancer in my lymph nodes. I stopped taking my menopause hormones, had surgery and radiation, and have been taking tamoxifen ever since. I see my doctor a couple of times a year and so far have been okay. I'm going to ask my doctor if I'm a good candidate for switching to something like Arimidex. I hear that it's a smart choice for some women.

Brenda, age 50: I found out about my breast cancer last year. I don't have a family history of it or any of the risk factors that you read about. I chose to have a lumpectomy with radiation treatments, and when my doctor talked to me about chemotherapy, I thought "Why not?" I figure I should do everything possible to make sure that this breast cancer does not come back. I know that if it does and I had decided against the chemo, I will feel really guilty and be mad at myself for making the wrong choice. The treatment was kind of a drag, but not too bad. Now we just have to wait and see what happens next.

Janice, age 40: I got breast cancer 2 years ago. What a surprise! I don't have any family history (that I know of), and I don't have the other risk factors that my doctor talked to me about. Fortunately, my breast cancer was really small, and it hadn't traveled to the lymph nodes under my arm. My doctor said that whether or not I had chemotherapy was pretty much up to me. I travel a lot with my work and just didn't see how I could fit it in. My doctor said that chemotherapy would only have a small effect on my odds of having the cancer come back, so I decided not to have the chemo. I keep in close contact with my doctor and really feel great. I think that passing on the chemo was the right decision for me.

Paula, age 61: I was diagnosed with breast cancer just last year. Thank goodness I have been having those mammograms. My breast cancer was small, and I didn't have any cancer in the lymph nodes. I stopped taking my menopause hormones, and my doctor suggested that I try a medication called tamoxifen. I had a few hot flashes, but nothing bad. I feel really good and continue to see my doctor for checkups. I will take the tamoxifen for 2 years and then take something else. Who knows what will be on the market by then?

Credits

Last updated:	August 31, 2007
Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Reviewed By:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology
Editors:	Cynthia Tank, Pat Truman