For early stage patients who are...

[Jean]

Laurel,
It is unfortunate that the data is just not there to prove or negate the chemo portion...it would be wonderful if the (hopefully the near ) future will offer us the data we all want to hear.

While an A/C chemo has been a concern along with herceptin there is the topo112a test to assist in making a chemo decision of A/C.

I have found that change is slow in coming. Just recently I saw my onc. who said, "You know that you saved you're life"?

At the time of my dx. 2005 chemo/herceptin was not offered for early stage small tumor patients. I continued to pursue as my gut was not buying that my small aggressive tumor should just have an AI treatment.

Today as I read these posts from the BCS my heart is deeply sad and broken....for those women who had small tumors and on that basis was not offered a better treatment. I knew very little about bc in 2005 was not even aware of the subtypes, her2 etc. until I was dx.
I only knew to have my yrly exams as early detection helps. Then when I was dx. I was blown away by the behavior and reaction of many top onc. who treated this nasty dreadful disease at the early stage with the attitude, of "you are lucky you caught it early, now just go home" just like that...you had surgery, you had radiation...and if possible AI...HER2 was not even part of the equation...How terrible is that?

Her2 being a aggressive bc - after my research about HER2 and hitting this site I knew for certain my treatment was wrong.

It is very distrubing when new memembers join who have even larger tumors who are micro node positive are terrified and unsure of treatment. It is heart breaking!

We need to offer all information that we can along with our knowledge and wisdom.

I often think, "what is worse the disease or the cure?"
We do know that we reduce our odds of recurrence with treatment...does not haveing treatment do that?

These are difficult issues we all face.
Jean