Oncotype below 15, but cancer returned

Posted by Rom828 @jgallagher04921, Aug 3 6:09am

Anyone told they had a low risk of cancer returning, but it did return? If so, how much time passed between diagnosis?

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@colely

I was on Tamoxifen, 10 mg. for 1 1/2 years. I had too many side effects. Mood swings, aches; and developed gallstones. That was my, particular, set of symptoms. I was told that with my diagnosis, I had a very good chance of no recurring cancer, by my Oncology N.P. She even chose to order me a Screening Mammogram for this year, not another Diagnostic mammogram! I asked her to reconsider, and she would not! So I had to go outside my Cancer Center to get a Diagnostic mammogram ordered for this year. They found a suspicious mass that wasn't on my last Diagnostic mammogram. I had a biopsy the next week and it is same as last cancer, but grade 3. I am awaiting the results of a Breast MRI, in order for my surgeon to decide the type of surgery I will need. I have have been called a cancer survivor. I am glad I never bought into that term, and have been vigilant.

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On my goodness!! So glad you advocated for yourself!!!! I don't feel like a " survivor ", even though I do sat it. ( trying to talk myself into it). I feel I just beat this round.

I wish you the best of luck!!!!!!

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@colely

I was on Tamoxifen, 10 mg. for 1 1/2 years. I had too many side effects. Mood swings, aches; and developed gallstones. That was my, particular, set of symptoms. I was told that with my diagnosis, I had a very good chance of no recurring cancer, by my Oncology N.P. She even chose to order me a Screening Mammogram for this year, not another Diagnostic mammogram! I asked her to reconsider, and she would not! So I had to go outside my Cancer Center to get a Diagnostic mammogram ordered for this year. They found a suspicious mass that wasn't on my last Diagnostic mammogram. I had a biopsy the next week and it is same as last cancer, but grade 3. I am awaiting the results of a Breast MRI, in order for my surgeon to decide the type of surgery I will need. I have have been called a cancer survivor. I am glad I never bought into that term, and have been vigilant.

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Colely:

I am so sorry for all you've been through:(( Life really throws curve balls to us from time to time!

Will continuously keep you in my thoughts and prayers; pray that you and your doctors make the best decision for your future treatment plan during this journey of fighting with cancer.

For God's grace is sufficient for us all!

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Sorry the oncologist did not put you on a biannual mri. I think mri should be mandatory. Not only does it give some comfort but it can detect reoccurrence fast enough to start a new treatment. I hope the best for you.

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@kathyomaha55

My Oncotype was 22 - considered a gray area in between. I did not do chemo, but had lumpectomy & then radiation for Grade 1B IDC. Just finished my 6 years - got off the AI at 5 years. I rarely think of it returning. But I'm still watchful when it comes to my health. Best wishes for you!

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My ocotype was at 20 estrogen positive her2 negative with 2 lymphs positive my ki67 is at 10 so I’m in the low medium risk. No chemotherapy for me I was 58 post menopause . Had a lump and radiation for 6 weeks and taking anastrozole for 5 years. During surgery my surgeon had good margins. So thankful for that they got all my cancer, and if they didn’t hopefully the radiation did. I’m changing my diet and walking as much as I can because for me that’s beneficial being overweight has been linked to breast cancer who knew. So I’m doing my best to beat this as all
Of all you.

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@colely

I was on Tamoxifen, 10 mg. for 1 1/2 years. I had too many side effects. Mood swings, aches; and developed gallstones. That was my, particular, set of symptoms. I was told that with my diagnosis, I had a very good chance of no recurring cancer, by my Oncology N.P. She even chose to order me a Screening Mammogram for this year, not another Diagnostic mammogram! I asked her to reconsider, and she would not! So I had to go outside my Cancer Center to get a Diagnostic mammogram ordered for this year. They found a suspicious mass that wasn't on my last Diagnostic mammogram. I had a biopsy the next week and it is same as last cancer, but grade 3. I am awaiting the results of a Breast MRI, in order for my surgeon to decide the type of surgery I will need. I have have been called a cancer survivor. I am glad I never bought into that term, and have been vigilant.

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@colely Do you know if they consider this a recurrence or a new cancer?
Sending warm thoughts that all goes well! Had you stopped the Tamoxifen given the symptoms? I had local recurrence after 2.5 yrs (rad but no AI) and was oncotype 10.

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@chickenmom10

My ocotype was at 20 estrogen positive her2 negative with 2 lymphs positive my ki67 is at 10 so I’m in the low medium risk. No chemotherapy for me I was 58 post menopause . Had a lump and radiation for 6 weeks and taking anastrozole for 5 years. During surgery my surgeon had good margins. So thankful for that they got all my cancer, and if they didn’t hopefully the radiation did. I’m changing my diet and walking as much as I can because for me that’s beneficial being overweight has been linked to breast cancer who knew. So I’m doing my best to beat this as all
Of all you.

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My Oncotype was a 29 and the Mammaprint test was low risk. I did not do chemo but had radiation and am on Anastrazole. I had stage 1a, ER/PR positive, Her2 negative, no lymph nodes involved. I've been on anastrozole for almost a little over 4 years and just did the BCI test which showed I would benefit from staying on anastrozole another 5 years so I plan to do so.

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So doesn't menopausal status and age of diagnosis have something to do with the treatment plan? Maybe I'm oversimplifying, but I would think for the ER/PR positive patients, the amount of natural estrogen in your body should have something to do with the way surveillance treatment is prescribed. For example, I was 69 (2019) when diagnosed (Stage IIIc) -- [modified radical mastectomy (left), 10/16 lymph nodes diseased]. I started dose dense chemo (41 days after my surgery) and radiation for 6 weeks right after that. The local oncologist initially prescribed 5 years Tamoxifen (to a 69 yr old who was menopausal at 49) Didn't sound right to me, so I sought a second opinion at Dana Farber. They tweaked the treatment to 2 years Tamoxifen then 8 years Anastrozole, adding 3 years Zometa infusions, every 6 mos. I see someone on the team every 3 mos. for surveillance, mammo and alternating breast MRI (without and with contrast) every 6 mos. (annual tests for both).

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I’m so sorry to hear this. My oncotype was 29 for oestrogen positive breast cancer. I was told by my oncologist that I would need 4 Chemo treatments and radiotherapy. This was in July 2021. The chemo nearly killed me. I was 69 and I collapsed on my way to the third chemo and ended up in hospital for 5 days. While I was in the hospital I decided no more chemo. So I stopped it. I got my 3 year clear mammogram in May. I wish you, and everyone on here, the best of Irish ☘️ luck. 🇮🇪🇮🇪

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@rosa1935

I’m so sorry to hear this. My oncotype was 29 for oestrogen positive breast cancer. I was told by my oncologist that I would need 4 Chemo treatments and radiotherapy. This was in July 2021. The chemo nearly killed me. I was 69 and I collapsed on my way to the third chemo and ended up in hospital for 5 days. While I was in the hospital I decided no more chemo. So I stopped it. I got my 3 year clear mammogram in May. I wish you, and everyone on here, the best of Irish ☘️ luck. 🇮🇪🇮🇪

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Did you have any lymph nodes impacted? Also what stage was your breast cancer?

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@vegada

Did you have any lymph nodes impacted? Also what stage was your breast cancer?

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My breast cancer was stage 3 and hadn’t spread to the lymph nodes

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