NON SURGICAL OPTIONS?

[jawsbar75]

Has any gone through successful or unsuccessful non-surgical treatments with their breast cancer? Off-label drugs, diet change, hormone therapy, metabolic oncology, etc? Please share your story.

This is all so sudden and shocking (as with most people's experience I'm sure) but I'm trying to take a bit of time to take a deep breath and understand what my options are, both within and outside of the standard medical care.

FYI, I was just diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer, hormone receptor positive, HER2-, and KI67 - 9%. I understand the standard of care if lumpectomy, chemo and/or radiation.

Thank you so much.

[mathematics]

I was offered hormones as adjuvant therapy for 10 years after having the conventional treatment. I was also offered to take part in a study where you would either be offered aspirin or a placebo to take for a period of time to see if this stopped cancer returning. I declined this blind study as I had had enough of treatment for time being. I had a grade 3 tumor which was a number 9 very aggressive so I did not want to mess around with my treatment options. I think a lot to do with your treatment is how aggressive the tumor is as well as what stage it is at. As you are a stage 1 you may have more options especially if you have a low grade meaning the cancer is not aggressive. All the best and hope that you do well in your treatment of your cancer.

[jawsbar75 in reply to mathematics]

Thanks so much.

[smithtennyson]

No, but I doubt you wouldn't need chemotherapy with stage 1, and the lumpectomy operation is a quick one. I'd say take the plunge and get rid of it permanently unless you are in your 80s, 90s x

[jawsbar75 in reply to smithtennyson]

Thank you very much.

[Chrysali]

Before having breast cancer, I used to think that I would pursue non surgical options because that’s the kind of person I saw myself as being

But once diagnosed, I felt that time was of the essence and I very quickly arranged a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy

It seemed impossible to spend time researching other options, all of which seemed to be scientifically unproven

My KI 67 was just 4 percent

All I can tell you is that I felt the need to be doing something immediate

[jawsbar75 in reply to Chrysali]

I totally hear you. I feel the same sense of urgency but something inside me also wants to know more about the source of the issue. Cancer is not the cause; it’s an outcome. I don’t want to gamble with my life but I also don’t want to rush into things because that’s just the way we do things. Modern day science has proven one thing - what we know is very limited. What was standard of care yesterday is no longer the standard today. I will share my journey along the way. I really appreciate you sharing your experience. ❤️❤️❤️

[sassykitty]

I felt the mass in my right breast in July and confirmed by the surgeon via ultrasound. My mammo in Dec 22 was reported to me as normal. I have opted for the lumpectomy as I do not want to feel it anymore. It has gone from 2.9 cm to 4 cm since July. Just do not want it growing more in me. I have a friend who leans to alternative medicine with a touch of traditional western medicine. It is amazing what she has taught me and the outcomes she had achieved. Now, she had a single mastectomy 29 years ago when she was 37 and she wishes she knew then some of the things she knows now. Your statement "Cancer is not the cause; it’s an outcome. " Sounds just like my friend. I will pray for your decision and your journey.

[jawsbar75 in reply to sassykitty]

That’s amazing!! Thank you so much. Would your friend be open to speaking with me?

[sassykitty in reply to jawsbar75]

I will ask her. She is going with me today for my SaviScout procedure.

[jawsbar75 in reply to sassykitty]

That would be most amazing. Thank you again.

[Eliactida1955]

I would get the surgery and what they recommend . You are lucky stage 1 as it can be taken care of . I wish you the best 🙏✝️

[jawsbar75 in reply to Eliactida1955]

Thank you for your advice.

[TCMermaid]

Dear Sister in the Struggle:I live in the USA.

I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. This was during the pandemic. I chose to take Arimidex for many months to see if it could shrink my tumors and not have a mastectomy. I had 2 tumors far apart from on another in my right breast. One tumor was almost 5 cm. My cancer was slow growing and I had many mammograms during this time to make sure my cancer wasn't increasing. My care was at the Rogel Cancer Center at the University of MI. My case was continually reviewed by a multidisciplinary team. I had a double lumpectomy August 2022 with minimal lymph node removal. One lymphnode came back positive so I had 20 daily radiation treatments. I continue taking the Arimidex daily. I have all of the possible negative side effects from the Arimidex and I figure it's worth it,,,considering the positive effects I also got. I have been a T-10 paraplegic for 47 years and have other health challenges. Maintaining use of my upper body was very important to me...wheeling my wheelchair.

My advice is to take a breath...make your decision from a point of peace not crisis.

Love,

Susan

[jawsbar75 in reply to TCMermaid]

Such wise words. That’s exactly what I am trying to do. Sometimes it’s hard to get over the panic but I know I have to do this the right way. Taking a deep breath everyday and smile.