1. < Breast Cancer

Fear of radiation after lumpectomy

Posted by diane12 @diane12, Apr 19, 2018

I was seriously thinking of refusing radiation after lumpectomy because I had complete removal of tumor with wide negative margins. I was convinced that there would be no lung, rib, or heart radiation by using the prone(lying on stomach) with breast hanging down. They have been very careful with treatments & very accommodating so after 4 treatments I am feeling more secure by my decision to do this to ensure all cancer was caught.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

beachbabe | @beachbabe | Mar 5 7:53pm
In reply to @beachbabe "I am trying to decide whether to have radiation or skip it for my stage 1..." + (show)
@beachbabe

I am trying to decide whether to have radiation or skip it for my stage 1 HER+ BC. I was offered accelerated partial breast radiation which wouldn't be every other day for 5 days. If I don't do radiation and just take Anastrazole for 5 years my risk of recurrence over 10 years is 5.3%. With radiation and Anastrazole it is 1.6%. I'm 71 and had a lumpectomy 1.5cm tumor negative lymph node. Did you have any side effects? Fatigue or burns? Change in size or shape of the breast? I'm very worried about side effects and not sure if the benefits outweigh the risks given my low risk of recurrence. But also worried about not doing everything to reduce my risk.

Jump to this post

That shoukd say would be every other day for 5 days

REPLY
cmdw2600 | @cmdw2600 | Mar 6 7:22am

If you trust your team of doctors, I would follow their advice. I had radiation everyday for 30 days (no weekends) for TNBC, and for me it was not that bad-nothing like chemo. I called my best friend on my drive to the facility to pass the time and used Lily of the Desert aloe gel faithfully afterward. (I should add that I do have “good” skin, not prone to sunburn.) I was 67 at the time and wanted to do everything I could to avoid recurrence.

Best wishes on your decision.
Cindy

REPLY
bloncape | @bloncape | Mar 6 9:21pm

I was diagnosed with early stage ER+ breast cancer at age 70. I had a lumpectomy and opted to have 16 rounds of radiation. When I made the decision to have radiation, I did not know that I would be unable to tolerate anastrozole due to its MANY side effects which severely diminished my quality of life. In retrospect, I was glad that I had decided to have the radiation and its potential benefit of reducing my chance of recurrence. For me, the radiation was the easiest part of my treatment. I did not have any side effects from it. I’m feeling well; have not had a recurrence and will soon be 74.
Each one of us has to make difficult decisions as to which treatments to undergo based on many factors. I know that some people, who are diagnosed with late stage cancer, don’t have the same choices. However, if your chance of recurrence is low, you may want to consider radiation, in case you can’t tolerate an aromatase inhibitor.
I wish you good health and all the best in making your decisions.
Becky

REPLY
1 reply
ema1 | @ema1 | Mar 7 8:38am

I was scared too. Had DCIS stage 0 and lumpectomy. Had 21 treatments and no issues during treatment but 8 days after had a burned spot. Used the aloe mentioned previously and then radiaplex for burn. Two weeks and it has peeled and is much better!! BTW, mine was on left side so they had me hold my breath during treatments and radiation thru side to avoid heart and lung issues. Wish you the best and an easy treatment!

REPLY
myoga | @myoga | Mar 7 2:19pm

Make sure you continue with Aloe Vera/cream after the last treatment. I stopped the day after and the blisters appeared week later. Aloe Vera leaf worked well for me, not the one in the bottle.

REPLY
sue417 | @sue417 | Mar 8 3:33pm
In reply to @bloncape "I was diagnosed with early stage ER+ breast cancer at age 70. I had a lumpectomy..." + (show)
@bloncape

I was diagnosed with early stage ER+ breast cancer at age 70. I had a lumpectomy and opted to have 16 rounds of radiation. When I made the decision to have radiation, I did not know that I would be unable to tolerate anastrozole due to its MANY side effects which severely diminished my quality of life. In retrospect, I was glad that I had decided to have the radiation and its potential benefit of reducing my chance of recurrence. For me, the radiation was the easiest part of my treatment. I did not have any side effects from it. I’m feeling well; have not had a recurrence and will soon be 74.
Each one of us has to make difficult decisions as to which treatments to undergo based on many factors. I know that some people, who are diagnosed with late stage cancer, don’t have the same choices. However, if your chance of recurrence is low, you may want to consider radiation, in case you can’t tolerate an aromatase inhibitor.
I wish you good health and all the best in making your decisions.
Becky

Jump to this post

Good to know I am just going to be starting 10 days of radiation. I have had two surgeries since December and they were lumpectomy and Sentinel node surgery I do not want to take tamoxifen is what my doctor wants me to go on after no desire good to know that the radiation hopefully will be enough I am er/pr positive and her two negative stage 2 started out as dcis stage 0 from biopsies

REPLY
1 reply
chickenmom10 | @chickenmom10 | Mar 9 5:13pm

I know it scares everyone. But it’s for the best. The doctor really don’t see all the small cancer that might be there. Radiation kills those so it’s for a good reason to help combat this disease. It’s like a bad sunburn help cream on it and you will be just fine. It’s takes longer to under dress then having radiation treatments. I always counted down so I knew at end I could ring that bell. Cancer free !!!! It’s something to forward to

REPLY
chickenmom10 | @chickenmom10 | Mar 9 5:18pm
In reply to @sue417 "Good to know I am just going to be starting 10 days of radiation. I have..." + (show)
@sue417

Good to know I am just going to be starting 10 days of radiation. I have had two surgeries since December and they were lumpectomy and Sentinel node surgery I do not want to take tamoxifen is what my doctor wants me to go on after no desire good to know that the radiation hopefully will be enough I am er/pr positive and her two negative stage 2 started out as dcis stage 0 from biopsies

Jump to this post

I am estrogen positive and her2 negative with 1 lymph sentinel positive
Oncotype 20
Ki67 10
Low risk no chemo just taking anastrozole for 5-7 years.

REPLY
1 reply
sue417 | @sue417 | Mar 9 5:46pm
In reply to @chickenmom10 "I am estrogen positive and her2 negative with 1 lymph sentinel positive Oncotype 20 Ki67 10..." + (show)
@chickenmom10

I am estrogen positive and her2 negative with 1 lymph sentinel positive
Oncotype 20
Ki67 10
Low risk no chemo just taking anastrozole for 5-7 years.

Jump to this post

Hi
I don't have my pathology back yet on my Sentinel node But I will get it a week from Wednesday When I'm in London for my radiation.vwhsts k167 10. They didn't oncotype me

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.