Diagnosis DCIS: Anyone have 5-day radiation treatment?

I don’t believe it is a matter of one over the other. To be clear, I am not speaking from the Mayo Breast Clinic.
I saw this question posed in another conversation with some very helpful responses. This is more a question of individual cases. Each cancer gets its own “best” recommendation, each patient has their own values of quality. Time, cost, travel, convenience etc. are all considerations and each person looks at those things differently.
You need to discuss this with your provider, your family, your friends, then if you still are unsure, maybe a second opinion is in order.

I had mine in my left and no the radiation doesn't touch your lungs and heart. That's why they have you breath deep and then release to ensure they don't touch those organs. I didn't have mine done with Mayo because of the distance. You should do your research and listen to what the doctor recommends if based on your research what the doctor recommends makes sense then go with it and if not then ask them questions. Mayo is really good at listening at least I know my provider is. Again I didn't do the radiation at Mayo, but I have my oncologist at Mayo.

I had left breast radiation - they have you hold your breath but also the machine shuts down and stops immediately if you don’t hold your breath. I did mine down at MD Anderson in Houston

Mine also was in the left breast and I also questioned the 5 radiation treatments vs what was 15 I think it was…..
My radiation oncologist also went along with either way…. The 5 are a heavier dose is what I understood and I also, consulted with this site on Mayo’s for help.
Very blessed I caught it early, and the “in situ”was definitely a major part of why I chose that way in 2024……
I am scheduled for normal tests next week and feeling well… So far I am happy with my decision, but it must be that you, yourself, can accept the shorter time.
Good Luck!!

When I made my decision to have the five day treatment versus a longer course, it was based on a discussion with my oncologist. She said that recent new parameters had come down, that she checked and my margins were clean and wide enough that my case qualified for the shorter course. She explained that in her opinion, the only potential downside was the fact that it could cause a little more impact to the appearance of the breast in the form of thickening the scar is how she described it. Hope this helps. I am 10 months out, doing great and have very little disfiguration. Basically just a small dent in the lumpectomy area. I'm extremely pleased I went that route. While I did experience minor fatigue for two to three weeks, that's about it. I did use Mepitel film so did not have a skin reaction. Good luck to you and I'm sure either decision will render a positive result for you.

I had 5 day radiation treatment & am now 7 years cancer free.

That’s truly wonderful. ..Soon it will be a year!!
Lots of life to live!!🎄

@wyowyld
The Mepitel film is something new to me. ….
I don’t think that was ever mentioned, so I told a friend going thru this also, to discuss it with her oncologist…… Thanks for mentioning it! So glad we have a platform to discuss these things…. We have used Mayo’s several times and always impressed!!
Had radiation at MIA Cancer Institute.
Good Luck to all of us and hope that more govt money will be used in medical research! ❤️

@wyowyld I also had the 5 day course of radiation and tolerated it well. I have breast lymphedema and the scar is looking good but area under it is hard but gradually improving. It's been almost 4 months. The breast lymphedema has been constant in spite of compression garments and manual lymphatic drainage. Does anyone have breast lymphedema?

I had 5 day radiation. Afterwards, the skin of the irradiated breast was rough and thickened. I didn't like the rough skin but I didn't bother with moisturizers or exfoliants. Then, about 8 months later, all the rough skin peeled off, and my skin was as before. Naturally, I was very happy. I've no idea if this is typical. My medical oncologist didn't seem surprised.