I'm 80 years old. Radiation?

I'm 76 and I have refused radiation post breast carcinoma in milk duct removal by surgery. 2005.
I'm still here and a fellow bowler 95 had hers left in and is still here.

I refused post RAI treatment after Thyroidectomy with 12 lymphs removed papillary and considered LOW RISK. Agreeing with the top USA Thyroid surgeon Mr Gary Clayman.

With this I refused to be under .5 TSH in suppression.

Its a personal decision.

But from the onset of so many others getting into trouble with over treatment and treatment not overriding further cancer, I choose no radioactive treatment or chemotherapy.

On my 4th year ultrasound check, I have some calcification questioned. Scarring or not removed lymph nodes not taken.

I don't blame anyone and they can be removed - my choice if it comes to that. Papillary grows 1mm a year. 1 x 8mm and 1 x 7mm. The other is probably my thymus.

I can live with my own decision. I've heard others saying that the RAI treatment did not stop the cancer returning or in left lymphs. Damage was in parathyroids not working, voice box, throat, oesophagus etc and leukaemia.

That's a lot of treatments. Consider your QOL as you go through these.

Without any intrusion, please make the right decision for you and you only. Get the printout of risks if you undergo these treatments.

In this 4th year Radiography suggested a RAI SCAN or PET scan. I have AF rapid and persistent, I questioned stopping my synthroid for 3 weeks - making me TSH 50 + HYPO in extreme. Side effects rapid heart rate. I take Diltiazem 120 CD mg AM to control for H/R Day 100 or under and a little for BP.

Two days into stopping I went from 1.7 to 5 TSH. Already HYPO over normal range.

The surgeon had a pow wow with the thyroid team including in Auckland. I was changed to a PET Scan. I missed two mornings. No sugar, iodine or stressful exercise the day prior.

So last year I had 2 CT Scans, PET scan and MRI of pituitary gland which showed warm. Nothing in the brain area noted as being a problem. Overall the above 3 areas of macro calcification showed no change and therefore was inconclusive for cancer. This area not been pictured before. Lined up for a further CT Scan with contrast in May 2025.

Are we guinea pigs or what. I would rather leave another test for a year.

Your absolute choice? How is your QOL?

I can feel for you.

In September after 6 weeks returning from 12-day Russian River Cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow. St Petersburg my favourite city, I had a stroke embolic (stray clot made by the AF undiagnosed) with rapid and persistent AF and on 4th day "you have a shadow on your thyroid" - Thyroid Papillary Cancer.

I fought for correct meds. In December 2021 I was encouraged to see a private heart specialist after an Endocrinologist whom I did not enjoy or like, then a public heart specialist who left me on 156 heart beats a minute.

This private person so interested put me on CCB Diltiazem 180 CD mg AM. My H/R in 2 hours came down in 2 hours! GREAT GREAT. Then adjusted to 120 CD mg and less Bisoprolol to 2.5mg PM. But now no Beta Blockers. More energy.

I wish you all the very best whichever you decide. Don't be pressured. Use your own womanly intuition.

cherio JOY. (tuckie)

I was diagnosed with HPV 16+cancer of base of tongue March 2023. I had TORS surgery to remove tumor and lymph nodes through right neck dissection. 2 of which had cancer. I am 58. I chose Proton vs Photon Radiation as I feel it is much less damaging. However, You will have issues with it as well. In my opinion Proton is more targeted with less side effects. However, It is a battle as insurance companies do not want to pay for Proton when Photon is 50% less costly or more. Proton is like a pencil beam hitting the target and stopping. Photon is more like a flashlight beam which travels through the target area. I had to drive an hour to Proton treatment. Alot of people drive much further. I drove myself to all 30 treatments. I am 18 months post 30 rounds of Proton Radiation to "cleanup" any cancer that may have been left behind. Today I feel like I am about 90% back to normal. I hope my story helps you in your decision. God speed.

Does the doctor giving you that opinion have access to proton therapy? If I were in your shoes, I would strongly suggest a second opinion.
( In my case, my local hospital didn't even inform me there was such thing as proton therapy. It was only because I decided to go to Mayo for a second opinion that I learned about it, and I'm very glad I went that route.

@astromberg, I'm wondering what you and your cancer team have decided. Did you discuss treatment options, including no treatment? What helped your decision making?