Breast cancer spread to lymph nodes. Would you choose chemo?

Well, I had my ultrasound this morning and I will admit that I’m a bit disappointed that the tumor had only shrunk a tiny bit more. The last u/s I had was in mid-Aug and I’ve had 2 chemo treatments and 7 iv Vit C infusions since then (and tons of supplements.)

HOWEVER, the radiologist made an interesting note in my report: he says the Doppler device found “no evidence of vascularity” …..which means there was NO BLOOD FLOW…which I interpret as meaning these are dead cells! 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 At least I hope so!! We’ll see what my oncologist says next week.

Interest in using very high doses of vitamin C as a cancer treatment began as long ago as the 1970s when it was discovered that some properties of the vitamin may make it toxic to cancer cells. Initial studies in humans had promising results, but these studies were later found to be flawed.

Subsequent well-designed, randomized, controlled trials of vitamin C in pill form found no such benefits for people with cancer. Despite the lack of evidence, some alternative medicine practitioners continue to recommend high doses of vitamin C for cancer treatment.

More recently, vitamin C given through a vein (intravenously) has been found to have different effects than vitamin C taken in pill form. This has prompted renewed interest in the use of vitamin C as a cancer treatment.

There's still no evidence that vitamin C alone can cure cancer, but researchers are studying whether it might boost the effectiveness of other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, or reduce treatment side effects.

There are still no large, controlled clinical trials that have shown a substantial effect of vitamin C on cancer, but some preliminary studies do suggest there may be a benefit to combining standard treatments with high-dose IV vitamin C. Until clinical trials are completed, it's premature to determine what role vitamin C may play in the treatment of cancer.

Cited from Mayo Clinic
- High-dose vitamin C: Can it kill cancer cells? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/expert-answers/alternative-cancer-treatment/faq-20057968

For more in-depth information:
- Intravenous Vitamin C (PDQ®)–Patient Version https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/vitamin-c-pdq
– Intravenous High-Dose Vitamin C in Cancer Therapy https://www.cancer.gov/research/key-initiatives/ras/ras-central/blog/2020/yun-cantley-vitamin-c

Hi Kristi,
I had a very similar diagnosis,same surgery,followed by chemo and radiation(it was a bit more advanced).
I didn't question chemo or not,I simply wanted to give myself the best chance for a long life,which meant to take advantage of every available treatment,no matter how difficult and unpleasant that would be.You know,8-14% might not sound much,but when it comes to prolonging your life,I feel that any number increase is worth going through a few months of discomfort or worse.We only have this one shot at life,and doing anything to keep living this life for as long as possible is worth it.I also wanted to make sure,that I would not live with any nagging doubts about having chosen not to go with extra treatment and regretting that in the long run.I have gained a whole new appreciation for life and learned what is and what isn't important in life and it has fundamentally changed the way I go through the day,deal with difficult times,and feel joy more intensely than before.There was no loss,only gain,and I've been cancerfree for 15 years now.
Whatever decision you make,stand 100% behind that choice.There is no right or wrong choice , we all want to do what's in our best interest,and the way I chose might not be the right one for someone else.
I wish you all the best on your recovery,physically and emotionally,

I’m very interested! Please keep us updated. Wishing you the best!

Such a very personal decision. As a 13-year survivor, I will say that the more rigorous your treatment at the time, the greater your peace of mind in subsequent years. I've had friends who chose the minimal treatment route, and they get paralyzed with fear in the weeks leading up to their annual mammogram. I did chemo and Arimidex and while both brought their challenges, they gave me peace of mind going forward.

Would you mind sharing how many years ago was this? I am always looking for the positive outcomes where it’s been several years. 🙏 also, did you have to do mastectomy? If so, would you mind sharing if you elected reconstruction and type? I had mastectomy 5wks ago and will start radiation in another week. I have do delayed reconstruction due to radiation. I went with expanders so we couple do nipple and skin sparring.

@chopin51, what are your reasons for fasting?

It's all just finished up - I had chemo in 2020, and mastectomy then radiation, then full reconstruction in 2021, and then a touch up surgery and finished my chemo pill this summer of 22.

I did the expanders, too.

In reply to the editors comment about “flawed studies”, I have this to say: you’re not comparing apples to apples. Those studies were done using ORAL not intravenous Vit. C. I tried to post a link to a PubMed clinical study from 10/2021 but I wasn’t allowed to post the url: here’s info you can look it up for yourself (just Google the PMID 3471770). The problem as I see it, is that by using the humble vit C, Big Pharma can’t make a profit like they do on their synthetic chemotherapy drugs. Sorry, it’s the truth.

High-dose intravenous vitamin C, a promising multi-targeting agent in the treatment of cancer

Franziska Böttger # 1 , Andrea Vallés-Martí # 1 , Loraine Cahn 1 , Connie R Jimenez 2
Affiliations expand
PMID: 3471770

Well, all the posts are positive and I needed the extra push today!
Chemo surgery, radiation, chemo (preventative) 14 rounds T-DM1. I needed the positive comments on doing the extra lap of additional chemo - I know I have this - I know I am worth it!
Thanks for sharing your stories 15 and 13 years+ well done!!
I am finishing 8th round of 14 - not bad - making spring plans for vacation, events and being a first time grandmother!
So staying the course -
Reconstruction, is coming slow implants will be the final completion with fat graphs to look more natural.
Age 56 - surgery 5/22/22

I am glad to hear the radiation did not harm your skin tissue and reconstruction can happen soon!
You sound on a good plan - I vote more chemo as preventative any % advantage is an advantage.
Be well and have a better day!