I want to stop chemo for breast cancer. Can I?
I had my 1st cycle of chemo for breast cancer and I want to stop. Could I?
Expert Answer
CAN I STOP TAKING CHEMO FOR BREAST CANCER IS A COMPLEX QUESTION. AS A RADIATION ONCOLOGIST, I AM AWARE OF THE VARYING LEVELS AND DEGREES(STAGES) OF BREAST CANCER. TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, ONE NEEDS TO KNOW THE TYPE 0F CANCER, THE MARKERS THAT ARE IN EACH CANCER CELL, THE EXTENT (STAGE) OF THE CANCER, ETC. ONLY WHEN SOMEONE KNOWS ALL THE FACTORS SURROUNDING THE DISEASE CAN ONE GIVE AN ITELLIGENT ANSWER TO THE QUESTION. SOME CAN BE TREATED WITH HORMONAL AGENTS, SOME REQUIRE CHEMO ONLY, SOME REQUIRE COMBINATIONS, SOME REQUIRE NEW TARGETED AGENTS. BUT, SOME DO NOT NEED ANY ADDITIONAL AGENTS. THE SUBJECT IS HIGHLY COMPLEX AND THE PATIENT NEEDS TO KNOW THE RISK OF RECURRENCE WITH AND WITHOUT CHEMOTHERAPY AND MAKE UP THEIR OWN MIND.