Breast Cancer Stage 1b --how much is just too much?

Posted by billiemoore @billiemoore, May 20, 2025

Background on me--I eat very well (clean eating, no soy, hardly any gluten, no high fructose syrup, no dairy) and go to a DO (vs MD).

I knew I had an issue when the breast spot dimpled and felt a lump under by armpit after COVID (lymph node). Nothing found on mammogram, demanded ultrasound and invasive ductal on breast and similar on lymph node -stage 1b (bc metastasized to sentinel lymph node), both spots fairly small 1.8 and considered a 1 for agressiveness.

Initial thought was --ok, l will get lumpectomy and the 1 lymph node removed, maybe a little radiation and should be good..afterall still stage 1.

Then the appt with the breast specialist/surgeon --she is talking about taking out all lymph nodes with a 30% chance of permanent arm issues and 6 weeks of 5day radiation and possible chemo ..which I'm not going to do because as I pointed out there was little bang for your buck on estrogen and progesterone positive receptors with HER2 positive (2) and FISH negative. After several questions, she concurred with it will likely not help with my type of breast cancer. My husband and most of my family members agree that they usually go over-the-top on stuff---make you miserable with lasting mental health and physical health issues long term.

My thoughts..
Why can't they simply do more test to determine if those 'other' (oustide of sentinel) are cancerous, instead of just saying it is fatty tissue and will just remove all when there is a 30% chance of arm problems.

Why recommend chemo when it doesn't typically help and my spots are small.

Why over 30 rounds of radiation that can leave my breast blackened (permanently) when it may not even be needed --how about scans and such after I get surgery and maybe a few rounds of radiation.

Thoughts on the ole 'let's just do xyz just in case' medical practices and your experiences.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

I’ve had numerous mammograms and sonograms. No one found my Invasive Lobular Carcinoma until I came to Lubbock. Providers made me feel like I was attention seeking. Finally someone saw it. Biopsy says ILC. I am considering everything including the side effects of all they want to do. I really think I just want to live my best life for whatever time I have left. I don’t want to spend whatever time I have left going to drs and dealing with side effects. One thing leads to another and to another. Cancer is a big business. I am making a bucket list. Does anyone else feel like this?

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Profile picture for wyowyld @wyowyld

I am also stage 1 B and had a lumpectomy 11 months ago. I had a five day course of targeted radiation and have chosen not to take AIs. My oncologist made the comment that we may be over treating early stage breast cancers. There is no right or wrong decision as none of us knows, but for me it was the only choice. I believe with all the rapid advancements taking place right now that the barbaric way the disease is treated will be vastly improved soon. I know I'm an optimist and it's a different decision for everyone. Good luck with yours! Just had another recent set of scans and all clear so far♥️

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@wyowyld I was 1B. I was 79 at the time. I had a lupectomy,chemo and radiation.I was HER2 positive. I had 3 lymph nodes involved. I refused AL. I'm 84 now and my blood work shows no signs of cancer.

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Profile picture for raebaby @raebaby

@wyowyld I was 1B. I was 79 at the time. I had a lupectomy,chemo and radiation.I was HER2 positive. I had 3 lymph nodes involved. I refused AL. I'm 84 now and my blood work shows no signs of cancer.

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@raebaby Thank you so much for sharing, and what great news. I feel confident that my decision was the right one for me, and it certainly sounds like the right one for you. I really believe rapid advancements in treatment are right around the corner, and even here. For example today, more announcements were made in regards to improvements over the AI protocol, with the results of the large SERDS trial now being in. I am hopeful those that do decide various treatment paths will have an easier go of it as far as side effects. Keep living the good life, I plan to!

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