You’re English is fine. I haven’t discussed after-care with the doctor yet but I did ask him about Oncotype DX testing and he said that would be a discussion for the oncologists later. But then I think he said “this kind of testing is not usual for non-invasives” and walked away. I guess my cancer was considered non-invasive (before surgery) but I’m still going to ask about it at the follow-up appointment!

Nayade - thank you for sharing your experience. Everything helps. 🌸

Your English is fine, Nayade 🙂

These decisions aren't always easy but cancer predictions aren't perfect either. Nor are drugs and treatments. I have two friends who had stage 0 tumors removed who are doing what your friend is...not doing chemo, drugs or radiation for multiple reasons but doing self-exams weekly, physician-administered breast exams every 1-2 months and yearly mammogram and ultrasound exams. Both of these women also had sentinel lymph node biopsies and genomics testing to evaluate recurrence risk, so there was that difference.

If your friend has any second thoughts later, maybe she'd reconsider tamoxifen as the anti-hormone therapy likely gives her the most recurrence risk reduction of the chemo/radiation/drugs options and there's no deadline for adding tamoxifen whereas chemo and radiation options can be time-sensitive. But at least she'll be aware of the importance of breast exams so likely to notice anything that merits attention.

You're a good friend and she's lucky to have someone dedicated to finding information to make the right choices.

I’m doing the same! DCIS but there was nothing present in the lumpectomy (removed with biopsy) so I’m passing on radiation. Not only for the side effects & residual effects but also so I have a possible option of another lumpectomy in case of reoccurrence. I am considering the AI’s since my type was ER/PR+ depending on what’s recommended with my other health issues. My Oncotype DX DCIS score came back as a 28 (in the low category) with a 6% risk with radiation & an 8% risk with just the lumpectomy. I’m willing to “roll the dice” for a 2% difference by not getting radiation.

I am in a very similar situation. Wide excision biopsy removed the whole thing (4mm) that had shown up on my mammograph. I am 65 and not doing hormone blockers. I am not doing RA either- saving for future use if needed. I am a clinical researcher, and I think my decision is solid. As does my oncologist. But I feel like maybe I should do absolutely everything Available or else I’m tempting fate or in denial. It’s uncomfortable!