Great News!

I received a call from the oncologist regarding the Oncotype DX test. My recurrence score results is 18. It is borderline of low to moderate risk range for the cancer to reoccur. With a score of 18, it is suggested that NO CHEMOTHERAPY treatments would have any impact on subsiding the recurrence and that a hormone therapy treatment orally is the best option. 

Interpreting the results

Oncotype DX test results assign a Recurrence Score – a number between 0 and 100 – to the early-stage breast cancer or DCIS. Here are the ranges to interpret the results:

• Recurrence Score lower than 18: The cancer or DCIS has a low risk of recurrence. The benefit of chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer or radiation therapy for DCIS is likely to be small and will not outweigh the risks of side effects.
• Recurrence Score between 18 and 31: The cancer or DCIS has an intermediate risk of recurrence. It’s unclear whether the benefits of chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer or radiation therapy for DCIS outweigh the risks of side effects.
• Recurrence Score greater than 31: The cancer or DCIS has a high risk of recurrence, and the benefits of chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer or radiation therapy for DCIS are likely to be greater than the risks of side effects.

Many breast tumors are "estrogen sensitive," meaning the hormone estrogen helps the tumors to grow. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) which are taken in pill form, can help block the growth of these tumors by lowering the amount of estrogen in the body.

Estrogen is produced by the ovaries and other tissues of the body, using a substance called aromatase. AIs do not block estrogen production by the ovaries, but they can block other tissues from making this hormone. That's why AIs are used mostly in women who have reached menopause, when the ovaries are no longer producing estrogen.

Another drug, tamoxifen (Nolvadex®), also helps to prevent the growth of estrogen-sensitive breast tumors, but it works differently from AIs. Whereas AIs reduce the amount of estrogen in the body, tamoxifen blocks a tumor's ability to use estrogen.

Currently, three AIs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: anastrazole (Arimidex®),exemestane (Aromasin®), and letrozole (Femara®).

• My doctor has recommended and is putting me on Anastrozole (Arimidex®) which helps prevent recurrence of breast cancer in postmenopausal women with early-stage hormone receptor-positive tumors. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs), which interfere with the body's ability to produce the hormone estrogen, are rapidly changing the standard of treatment for breast cancer. 

I will be on this treatment plan for 5+ years. There are side effects from this drug such as:

• The most common side effects seen with ARIMIDEX include hot flashes, joint symptoms (including arthritis and arthralgia), weakness, mood changes, pain, back pain, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, rash, depression, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, fractures, swelling of arms/legs, insomnia, and headache.
• In advanced breast cancer trials, the most common side effects seen with ARIMIDEX versus tamoxifen include hot flashes, nausea, decreased energy and weakness, pain, back pain, headache, bone pain, increased cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and swelling of arms and legs. Joint pain/stiffness has been reported in association with the use of ARIMIDEX.

Understanding that any form of treatment for cancer is awful, I would rather have the pill versus chemo. Although the pill does not sound pleasant either and will take some toll on my body with the countless side effects. It makes me wonder how my every day life will be affected. In all things I will continue to let my light shine brightly through it all! Remember....it only takes a spark to let your light shine. 

So let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven - Matthew 5:16