Did anyone else decide to not have radiation?

If you took the AI’s would you still need radiation?

My dr. Told me a lot of people have problems with the hormone blockers and don’t stay on them long. And since I had multifoci invasive lobular rcancer he suggested he thought I needed radiation, unless I would stay on meds.
It was my decision, I didn’t have to have it.
I choose to have it knowing I probably would have issues with pills. But that only protects the radiated breast.

Texas5, I'm in a similar position with the decision to radiate causing more anxiety than the cancer (DCIS stage 0, ER+ PR+). I had a lumpectomy and the radiologist suggested radiation. He said if the margin on the cancer in the pathology report had been 3ml instead of 2ml with one 1.9ml, he would not suggest radiation. Breast cancer surgeon saw me for a follow-up 2 weeks after surgery for about 15 min. Next appointment with her office is in 6 months with an NP. This hospital does not assign a medical oncologist unless I decide on hormone therapy, which I am reluctant to do because of my osteoporosis (-3.5 spine). Chance of recurrence without radiation or hormone therapy: Radiologist 20%, Surgeon 11% (apparently using different grading systems?) My surgery was September 25 so I must make a decision soon, immediately? I'm 84 which also factors into my decision.

no chemo was ever even discussed. They said I didn't need it.

Mid 70’s . No chemo needed when diagnosed with Er/pr + HER 2- , IDC STAGE 2. I had a unilateral mastectomy Feb. 2022 and was in a “ gray area” regarding radiation. Took Anastrozole meds for 2.5 years ( and continuing but now on Examestane). I had a small local recurrence in July =lumpectomy on a mastectomy then radiation. A rogue cell that got away during mastectomy.

Can’t help but logically assuming had I had radiation then I would not have had this recurrence. But here I am! You never know for sure.

ALSO… I had very minor issues with the hormone blocker. Joint pain mitigated with walking stretching and yoga. It’s always with trying it to see if will work out for you. It kept my rogue cell from rapid proliferation . Original tumor 22% KI-67, local recurrence was 3% KI-67 ( how many cells in nucleus proliferating) .

Best to you and your decisions.

I was in a similar situation as biopsy of nodes was borderline between micrometastases & macrometastasis. Only 0.1mm difference.
I had a choice of one week radiation of 40Gy to whole breast & axilla or 3 weeks of 26Gys to hit the whole breast,
axilla & supraclavicular fossa.
I've chosen the longer radiation covering everything because I've really suffering on the ALs endocrine therapy & won't to stop.
I've spoken to 3 independent oncologists & mafe my decision on the fact I know I will not do 5yrs on even another year on endocrine so to halt any recurrance hitting the total area with radition will destroy any rouge cells of cancer.
So I'm hoping I've given myself the best treatment to stop any recurrance.
I hope this helps you make a decision.

Would like to communicate with all those who have made the decision to forgo radiation.

texas5. Blood clot and blood thinners. Plus, no radiation as that oncologist said it would not help my case. 2 % of the population have my numbers, so a holiday vacation at Thanksgiving in Western NY and surgery in late December 2022. For that surgery, numbness can occur and nearly all is gone. The one area i did not do well on was stretching and exercising consistently. I had a bit of frozen shoulder and trigger finger that once i worked with an occupational therapist, that too healed. Aday at a time. Each day since I have done better.

I've been reading that more and more they are advising to use less aggressive treatments for low/mid grade hormone responsive BC for women age 70+ so what you're being advised by your radiation onco sounds in line with the latest trends. I think it makes sense for them to start adjusting treatments based on age. What makes sense at 50 may not make sense at 75, because our bodies change.

Yes doing so much research has caused me so much confusion.
But you are absolutely correct. It doesn’t make sense to treat the old as aggressively as the young.
I am turning 69 next week so not quite yet 70 but definitely in that range.!
May I ask your experience with radiation if you had it delivered?