1. < Breast Cancer

Radiation or not

Posted by gerarda @gerarda, Nov 23, 2022

Hi,
I’m 77 and had a lumpectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma. ER+, Her2-, 1.4cm.
Oncologist said radiation and tamoxifen,
Tamoxifen because I have mild osteoporosis and it’s less damaging to the bones. She also said that it was reasonable for me to skip RT.
The radiologist said with radiation the chance of recurrence would be 1-2%, without radiation it would be 10%. She also said it would be okay to skip radiation because the overall survival rate is the same, with or without radiation. Has anyone had to make that choice? I would love some input. Thanks.

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Joanna | @enaska1 | Jan 10 12:44pm
In reply to @danielad "@kstar077, @ema1, @enaska1 - Hello ladies! I thought I would chime in with my experience. I..." + (show)
@danielad

@kstar077, @ema1, @enaska1 - Hello ladies! I thought I would chime in with my experience.

I had DCIS; Right Breast; Grade 2; HR/HP positive, >90. I had surgery and Radiation, but I am not taking Aromatase Inhibitors because of their side effects. The decisions we are faced with are daunting and cause a lot of anxiety, don't they? I was initially totally against doing any radiation. But both my radiation oncologist and my family were asking me to reconsider. It was psychologically very challenging!

That's when I decided to rely upon the numbers: I set a maximum of 15-20% reoccurrence. In other words, if tests would indicate that my risk WITHOUT radiation was 15 to 20% for reoccurrence, I would do radiation.

As it turned out, my margins were not clear. Additionally, the test "PreludeDX" indicated a pretty significant recurrence without radiation (15%). I did do radiations because my risk for reoccurrence was at least 15%. In case you don't know about "PreludeDX":
https://preludedx.com/patients/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjsGp0ZrTgwMVMmFHAR12NQDvEAAYASADEgIsz_D_BwE
"DCISionRT is a risk assessment test for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The test was developed by PreludeDx and built on research that began with funding from the National Cancer Institute to better understand the biology of DCIS. DCISionRT assesses a patient’s individual biology along with other risk factors to provide a personalized assessment that predicts the risk of your DCIS coming back (recurring) over the next 10 years. The test calculates a personalized recurrence score and identifies your risk as low or elevated. DCISionRT provides information that may help you and your physician make a more informed treatment decision. "

Based on the results shown by PreludeDX, my oncologists recommended Radiation and Aromatase Inhibitors. I decided to get the radiation; however, I chose not to take AIs.

I did radiation belly-down. This is a way to decrease potential radiation damage to tissue and organs behind the breasts, such as the lungs and heart, if on the left side.

HUGS to all!

D.

Jump to this post

Thank you very much for your input ! I REALLY Appreciate it ! Everyone of you ladies who have to deal with breast cancer diagnosis ! Wishing you healthy , anxiety free 2024 !💕🤞

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1 reply
Dee | @danielad | Jan 10 1:58pm
In reply to @enaska1 "Thank you very much for your input ! I REALLY Appreciate it ! Everyone of you..." + (show)
@enaska1

Thank you very much for your input ! I REALLY Appreciate it ! Everyone of you ladies who have to deal with breast cancer diagnosis ! Wishing you healthy , anxiety free 2024 !💕🤞

Jump to this post

@enaska1 - Thank you, Joanna! And the best to you in your journey!

HUGS,

D.

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dp77827 | @dp77827 | Jan 15 7:19am

I had IDC stage 1 left breast, clear margins, ER+91-100%. My surgeon recommended meds + radiation, however, after meeting with oncologist I couldn’t take tamoxifen due to my blood clot history. I have severe arthritis & opted mot to take other meds due to joint pain side effects, plus my oncologist stated would be 3% or less benefit. I did take radiation for 3 weeks. They have you hold your breath to protect your heart & lungs as this will raise above. While taking treatment, my husband & I both got Covid & after isolation, I was able to complete my treatment. Prayers that you make right decision for you and prayers and hugs to all.

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lifetraveler | @lifetraveler | Jan 16 9:18am

Hi！gerarda @gerarda :

I saw this original post of yours was dated on Nov. 23, 2022 and am wondering what your final decision was?

Hopefully you've been recovering well, healthy and happily living a normal life:) Sending you love, hope and prayers during this journey!

Thanks for sharing your experience!

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1 reply
gerarda | @gerarda | Jan 19 6:39pm
In reply to @lifetraveler "Hi！gerarda @gerarda : I saw this original post of yours was dated on Nov. 23, 2022..." + (show)
@lifetraveler

Hi！gerarda @gerarda :

I saw this original post of yours was dated on Nov. 23, 2022 and am wondering what your final decision was?

Hopefully you've been recovering well, healthy and happily living a normal life:) Sending you love, hope and prayers during this journey!

Thanks for sharing your experience!

Jump to this post

Hello Lifetraveler,
Thank you for your kind words. Somehow I thought I already responded but I guess it didn’t go through. Anyway, I never did radiation. Both specialists at Dana Farber told me the survival chances would be the same with or without radiation. I did start with Letrozole but stopped after 3 months when I got strange symptoms not knowing is they resulted from the meds. Eventually I got diagnosed with PMR and have been on prednisone since then. After that I got diagnosed with coronary disease and received a stent. I worry less about the breast cancer now because I feel I’m going to be okay with that. If there is a recurrence I can do another lumpectomy as well as radiation. Keeping my fingers crossed. Sending you best wishes for your situation and hope you are doing well. Big Hug

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1 reply
lifetraveler | @lifetraveler | Jan 19 10:04pm

Hi! @gerarda :

Thank you so much for your reply, for I am facing the similar decision making situation as you were more than a year ago!

I am so sorry to hear that you had suffered through that painful PMR and coronary disease! However, it seems that you have put the BC issue under control and strive bravely forward on the journey ahead. I admire your courage and wisdom, my friend:) Wishing you the best year ahead: healthy, happy and content with hope that lasts forever!

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maryjane61 | @maryjane61 | Jan 20 7:29am

I chose no radiation as well, felt the endocrine therapy was enough of a preventative, and yes the % of reoccurrence with or without radiation was just not enough to put my body through any more havoc !

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2 replies
kstar077 | @kstar077 | Jan 28 6:21pm
In reply to @gerarda "Hello Lifetraveler, Thank you for your kind words. Somehow I thought I already responded but I..." + (show)
@gerarda

Hello Lifetraveler,
Thank you for your kind words. Somehow I thought I already responded but I guess it didn’t go through. Anyway, I never did radiation. Both specialists at Dana Farber told me the survival chances would be the same with or without radiation. I did start with Letrozole but stopped after 3 months when I got strange symptoms not knowing is they resulted from the meds. Eventually I got diagnosed with PMR and have been on prednisone since then. After that I got diagnosed with coronary disease and received a stent. I worry less about the breast cancer now because I feel I’m going to be okay with that. If there is a recurrence I can do another lumpectomy as well as radiation. Keeping my fingers crossed. Sending you best wishes for your situation and hope you are doing well. Big Hug

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I have not done radiation nor hormone blocker. Blocking causes osteoporosis. My odds of cancer coming back are low so I will just have a lumpectomy if it comes back. Life is too short for me to spend the rest of it with other complications and feeling badly.

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dinod1923 | @dinod1923 | Jan 30 6:41am
In reply to @maryjane61 "I chose no radiation as well, felt the endocrine therapy was enough of a preventative, and..." + (show)
@maryjane61

I chose no radiation as well, felt the endocrine therapy was enough of a preventative, and yes the % of reoccurrence with or without radiation was just not enough to put my body through any more havoc !

Jump to this post

I chose the same as you. I am confident I made the right choice for me. I’m 62, I was diagnosed in June 2023 with IDC stage 2 one lymph involved ER+PR+.

We can only do our research and make the best choice for ourselves.

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mc18089 | @mc18089 | Feb 10 11:23am

I am a 75 yr old female. I recently went thru radical double mastectomy with 1 lymph node removal for 11% hormone receptor cancer. I do not want to go through radiation. I have been trying to research articles on radiation pros and cons at my age. It would be a hardship on me to travel a hour and half each way to radiation every day for several weeks. Any opinions would be helpful.

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