The first round was brutal. Second round more tolerable. Round three coming up this week. Thanks for asking.

I have had very minimal side effects with both Taxol (once a week x 12) and FAC (once every 3 weeks x 4). About the only side effect with Taxol, was hair loss. I can tell the FAC is stronger, I’m a little more fatigued and some bloating, but that’s pretty much it. My labs have been amazing the entire time. I’m blessed beyond belief and know I’m probably the exception not the rule!

My wife was diagnosed with a ductal carcinoma last August, with 2 lymph nodes involved. She is ER+, HER2- and carries BRCA1 gene. She had a bilateral mastectomy, followed by 6 chemo cycles 4 weeks apart. She also had the Agendia genetic test carried out on tumour tissue which places her in the 'high risk' of cancer returning. How does that test compare to DX please?

She is now taking Tamoxifen and at 45 can't live with the side effects and is now determined to stop taking it. I thought she would benefit from a PARP inhibitor (Olaparib) but she does not meet the requirements (1 less lymph node involved than required). However, looking at the statistics for those with bilateral mastectomy, it appears that Tamoxifen only provides roughly 1.35% additional reduction in risk - the main benefit being for those who have had a lumpectomy or single mastectomy. 10 years of Tamoxifen, with the noticeable and potential long term side effects for a 1.35% benefit in risk reduction does not seem to be of real benefit given the overall effect on quality of life. Is it the case then that she is right to want to discontinue this treatment, and rely on annual checks instead, her decision is worrying me more than it is her?