How can I manage HR+ breast cancer at age 50?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 50 years old, and I have just been diagnosed with HR-positive breast cancer. I am attaching my test reports for your reference. My doctor suggests hormone therapy, but I am not sure if I need chemotherapy, too. My mom had breast cancer at 65.

What are my five-year and 10-year survival chances?
What is my risk of the cancer coming back?
What are the side effects of different treatments?
Can you help me understand my situation better and maybe suggest ways to improve my odds while keeping a good quality of life?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query.

I went through your reports (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity). I can understand your concern. It looks like your breast cancer is at an early stage, and this type of breast cancer usually has a good prognosis.

Your recurrence score is also low, so there is very little chance of recurrence after the completion of treatment. You may benefit from hormonal therapy alone, but some more tests may be needed, and I need to see your histopathology report and BRCA (breast cancer) status. Hormonal treatment has fewer side effects, including bone loss, musculoskeletal pain, endometrial pathology, etc., depending upon the type of hormone treatment.

While chemotherapy has many side effects, most of them are manageable with medicines. Overall, with this stage and hormone-positive breast cancer, the prognosis is excellent, with a 10-year survival rate of more than 80 percent.

Revert with the answer to assist further.

Thank you, and take care.