Should I have Chemotherapy

[carolyn571]

I am a 57 year old female who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  The cancerous tumor was very small and was detected during a routine mammogram and confirmed with ultrasound.  I had a lumpectomy and the sentinel node procedure involved eight nodes with one positive.  I also had the Onco Dx test which showed a score of 21.  My surgion does not think chemo will make a difference in the liklihood of my cancer returning within the next 10 years.  The oncologist is recommending that I have Chemo.  I am finishing radiation treatment at this time but I do not know whether I should do radiation or not.  I do not want to go through Chemo if I do not need it (if it will not benefit me).  However, I do not want the cancer to reoccur if I can do something that can prevent it from returning.  Please tell me what you think I should do.

[japdip]

First I would say that if Chemo has been recommended by your Oncologist then I think there is good reason for it being given. I've been aware of many Surgeons who "think" Chemo isn't necessary but Surgery is their speciality ... not the treatment of Cancer. On a personal note; with any lymph node involvement (even one) I would never refuse to do Chemotherapy but then I'm not much of a gambler.   Regards ....