than the other.  The First is with doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and taxol. The second is cyclophosphamide,methotrexate and fluorouracil.

I am trying to find out as much as I can but don't know what to do or

which one to choose.  Can I choose the wrong one?  I have an apt.

June 2nd and will have to pick which one but I really don't know.  I don't know if I can handle this or deal with it.  I don't know if I'm strong enough

to cope.  Can anyone help me.....

Thanks,

Lanie

 

Hon, I'm so sorry you have to go through this.  We all know what it's like, and are giving you big hugs right now.  It's scary and you feel completely alone, even when you're surrounded by loved ones.  Right now, you feel helpless because you don't know all the facts and you haven't started treatment.  This is a good place to come to share and read up on things you have questions about.  Also, ask lots of questions and take lots of notes when you go to your onc. Take someone with you to your appointments.  Sometimes they will remember things that you don't.

 

I know, for me, I felt better when I had my surgery and started treatment, because I was finally doing something to beat this.  Chemo will be hard, but you can do it.  You will have lots of help from your loved ones and the doctors and nurses are usually wonderful people.

 

Regarding your course of chemo, I'm not sure that you can pick a wrong one.  The important thing is that you do the chemo, because that's our main line of defense for triple negative.  The good news is that chemo is very effective against our tumors, much more so than our positive sisters.  I know my onc told me at the beginning that he was getting out the "big guns" for me because of that.  I don't know the size of your tumor or if any lymph nodes are involved but if it were me, I'd go as aggressive as I could.  Sure, you might feel like dog poop for the entire time and there might be some side effects, but we get one shot at this invader and this is the time to blow it out of our bodies.

 

Another thing to consider is how comfortable you feel with the two oncs you have seen.  Are they easy to talk to?  Will they answer your questions and not rush you?  Do you feel like they care about you as a person and not as a statistic?  How familiar are they with triple negative breast cancer?

 

I know this time is full of a lot of decisions.  Discuss this with your loved ones.  You can't make a wrong decision because you're doing something to fight it.  Please keep posting here and letting us know what happens in the coming weeks.

 

Big hugs and caring thoughts to you, hon.

 

Diane

 

Without knowing your staging I went looking for articles. The first thing I do know is that CMF is not a commonly used chemotherapy in North America and especially not for triple negative. Please read the study I found and notice that even adding the Epirubicin (which is  like Adriamycin that is used in Canada and Europe in the FEC regimen) it was more effective than just CMF.

 

But the one general feeling by the oncologists who deal with TNBC and have an opinion - they include a taxane (unless there is an allergy), either Taxol, or Taxotere.

 

The National Epirubicin Adjuvant Trial (NEAT) and the BR9601 trial examined the efficacy of anthracyclines in the adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer.

Methods In NEAT, we compared four cycles of epirubicin followed by four cycles of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) with six cycles of CMF alone. In the BR9601 trial, we compared four cycles of epirubicin followed by four cycles of CMF, with eight cycles of CMF alone every 3 weeks. The primary end points were relapse-free and overall survival. The secondary end points were adverse effects, dose intensity, and quality of life.

Results The two trials included 2391 women with early breast cancer; the median follow-up was 48 months. Relapse-free and overall survival rates were significantly higher in the epirubicin–CMF groups than in the CMF-alone groups (2-year relapse-free survival, 91% vs. 85%; 5-year relapse-free survival, 76% vs. 69%; 2-year overall survival, 95% vs. 92%; 5-year overall survival, 82% vs. 75%; P<0.001 by the log-rank test for all comparisons). Hazard ratios for relapse (or death without relapse) (0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58 to 0.82; P<0.001) and death from any cause (0.67; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.82; P<0.001) favored epirubicin plus CMF over CMF alone. Independent prognostic factors were nodal status, tumor grade, tumor size, and estrogen-receptor status (P<0.001 for all four factors) and the presence or absence of vascular or lymphatic invasion (P=0.01). These factors did not significantly interact with the effect of epirubicin plus CMF. The overall incidence of adverse effects was significantly higher with epirubicin plus CMF than with CMF alone but did not significantly affect the delivered-dose intensity or the quality of life.

Conclusions Epirubicin plus CMF is superior to CMF alone as adjuvant treatment for early breast cancer. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00003577 http://content.nejm.org/cgi/external_ref?access_num=NCT00003577&link_type=CLINTRIALGOV - [ClinicalTrials.gov] .)

FEC-T is the chemotherapy regimen used most in Canada.

I have tried writing you last night and now today and my messages keep going poof, good grief I don't know what I am doing.

 

Check the News, Recouces & Tips Section in our forum, there is alot of information you might find interesting.  Also research on the internet.

Get a copy of your pathology report and all copies of your tests and scans.

 

Do you have any familiar history of cancer?  You might consider genetic counseling for the brca 1/2 mutation.  Many but not all TNBC women have the brca 1 mutation and this important information for you.

 

Go to http://www.facingourrisk.org - http://www.facingourrisk.org and look around.  You can also ask questions on their forum even as a guest.  They focus strictly on genetic information.

 

You are scared but as mentioned before as things move along you will begin to get a grip.  It is scary.  We were all scared and still get scared sometimes.  Talk to us, we will help you and be here for support.  You can do this!!

 

 

stay strong.  I am blessed to have all of you reply to me.  I can't thank

you enough.

 

Lanie

 

Congratulatons on reaching your 5 yr mark!  That is wonderful.

THank you THank you!!!! Live is wonderful!!!!

 

Yes, we all know this overwhelming and overwhelmed feeling!  You are a jumble of emotions/reality or dream and they want me to decide WHAT?!

 

We DO understand exactly what you mean.  But, you are already rallying to do what is best for you-face it and kick it!

 

If they are offering you chemo first....my humble opinion is based on the size/stage/grade and particulars to your case, the chemo before surgery is a good option.

 

That way, the AC/T (CMF) is researched as secondary choice can change as your tumor responds...check out our chemo or surgery first tnbc talk for some background and articles.

 

And of course, let it out, any feelings are OK and we are here to catch you with hope, hugs, strength and understanding.

Hugs,

Good Luck and know you are in my prayers.

Nadine

Congradulations that is such great news. 

 

Lanie

 

Thank you so much for your help.  I will let you know when I start the

treatments.  I know I will need all the help I can get.  I do appreciate

your help.

 

Lanie

I  am looking at the report and it says tumor size 1.3 x 1.2 x1.1 cm.  I think it might be a grade 2 but not sure what that means. I have been told

I am stage 1 BC.  I figured I should do the ACT It seems to be the

one that everyone does.

 

I know I will need everyones support I just hope I can be as strong

as the rest of you.

 

Thanks for being there.

Lanie

 

You will get all the support you need from us. I've just finished my rounds of chemo and the women on this forum made sure supported me every step of the way. I won't lie, it was difficult. But with all the help and advice I found here I made it. So will you! Don't think you're not strong enough. You've found the strength to be your own advocate and look for the best treatment. It takes a very strong person to do that!

 

We will hold your hand every step of the way.

 

hugs,

 

Caroline

 

Nancy

 

Someone had written a story with another web site on it.  I'm sure

Nancy is referring to that person.  The story might of been after or before

yours.

 

Thank you for your support and kind words I really appreciate it.

 

 

Nancy would be referring to the spam post by yours which the admin removed so it looks like she is referring to you but your safe.