Hi,
I found your post by chance because i usually dont post here :). My wife was recently diagnosed on july 22 after a success of events when most doctors thought it was just a cyst or infection. Anyways, breast cancer is totally different in young women (under 50). My wife is just 30 and for us besides faith and family, information and knowing the more we can about this disease has been key. You will and need to know the most you can about breast cancer because a lot of decisions will be yours, not the doctors, they will just give you the options and you have to make the decision that better fits your prospects, lifestyle and many other life circumstances.
Your tumor size seems small compared to my wife's and they are not prescribing chemo yet for her based on the ER/PR status of the tumor so you might want to ask why they are telling you chemo right now and if they are doing a node biopsy or sentinel node biopsy. Also i pressume they did a CAT scan and CT scan to check for metastasis but did that show any?
If you can go to a comprehensive cancer center, thats your best bet. It will depend on where are you located or if you are willing to travel. A lot of different things to consider before agreeing to chemo. I assume you have the biopsy results but mainly:
IDC or DCIS
ER/PR positive
HE2R status
Cell differentiation???
lymph node involvement
BRAC 1 and 2 genes (try to get genetic testing) to see if you carry the gene, if you do your chances of another primary go from like 10% to 50%
Oncotype DX test (it will help tell you if chemo will help based on the type of tumor)
Your team should include the breast surgeon, plastic surgeon (specializing in breast reconstruction) and the oncologist, plus radiation onco if you need it.
Sorry for the long post, you probably are already on top of this things but i just felt like writing :)
If you feel like researching, a couple of good sites:
http://www.breastcancer.org http://www.youngsurvival.org (just like slowtwitch very, very good info if you search)
Peace
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"Bros b4 Hos, man" House MD
Team Aquaphor 06-08