Fear of radiation after lumpectomy

Did anyone else in this discussion besides @rpierro decline Tamoxifen treatment after having a lumpectomy and radiation treatments?

I was just diagnosed in the middle of January with grade II infiltrating ductal carcinoma in the right breast. The tumor was 2 cm. About 2 1/2 weeks ago I had a lumpectomy. The surgeon said I will need radiation and Tamoxifen or some other similar drug. I have been looking up online about these treatments and I am really scared of the resulting side effects of both radiation and the ER receptor blocking drugs. I have not been assigned an oncologist yet, but I am going to ask for one who is trained in both naturopathy and regular medicine. I am really considering whether or not I want these treatments and the side effects. I am going to be 72 years old in June and the treatments are often less severe for women over the age of 70. I would be interested in any opinions about this. Thanks.

@shortie0650
Do not disregard any treatment based on others side effects or results. Everyone is an individual.

It is like watching commercials for drugs and they start listing all possible side effects, and it makes you wonder why anyone would take.

BUT knowing pros and cons of different treatments can help you have an informative conversation with provider.

I remember asking my radiations oncologist about protein beam radiation for my breast cancer and he told me that other radiation form was more effective for my type of cancer.

So write down list of questions about various treatments and reoccurrence results, side effects, etc...

And if you start a treatment and have side effects, can always stop or try something different.

P,S, I had ER+ HR- breast cancer at 63, lumpectomy on left breast and two positive lymph nodes. I had chemo, radiation of left breast, breast bone, collar bone and armpit, tried multi AIs and then stopped due to side effects.

Laurie

@shorty0650: I was in a similar situation 11 months ago. Same breast, same type cancer, 12 mm, so a little smaller than yours. Based on the ONCO type score, my oncologist and my radiologist agreed that radiation would not significantly change the outcome, so I decided against it. Also, I was told that the decision regarding radiation is not urgent, you have several months to think about it and change your mind, with no consequences (so I’ve been advised). Regarding ER blockers, I, too, read the horror stories and bad reactions that some patients have had. I did experience some fairly noticeable joint pain in my hips for the first 6 to 8 weeks, but then it subsided. So far no recurrence, either of cancer, nor joint pain. And - I was diagnosed 1 month before turning 72, so a very similar case.

I decided not to take tamoxifen after lumpectomy ,chemo and radiation. I only ended radiation a couple of months ago. I'm 80. I had an awful time during menopause and I didn't want to go back to the emotional feelings I had without estrogen. I'm doing well now and was able to go out and mow the fields around my property this weekend.

Thanks Laurie.

Thanks!

I didn't do radiation after a lumpectomy because I had an OncotypeDX 'risk of recurrence within 9 years' of 3% based on taking aromatase inhibitors. Which is considered 5% if one doesn't take the meds. The OncotypeDX genetic test assumes one has not had either chemo or radiation and in fact does not accept tumor tissue the patient has had either. I was amenable to the radiation before receiving the test result but decided it didn't offer enough risk reduction to merit the risks of the radiation. In my case, the lump was in the left breast, thus closer to the heart and that played a part in the decision as well. But I have friends who've breezed through this targeted radiation and glad for it.

And how are you today?
Hopefully, 👌

Thank you for the information. My mom died of breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy followed by a long course of radiation and 6 1/2 years of Tamoxifen. The side effects from these two treatments destroyed her quality of life and she got a recurrence despite following the full regime of treatments her Dr.'s prescribed. I know that if I refuse the treatments, my family will be super upset, but I don't think I'm willing to have my quality of life destroyed as my mom's was for the time I have left! 🙁 I have not yet seen the radiation oncologist or a regular oncologist - only the surgeon, so we'll see what's up after I meet with them. Has anyone out there ever tried the supplement Artemisinin (Sweet Wormwood)?? It is supposed to "dramatically kill breast cancer and leukemia cells while leaving normal breast cells and white blood cells unscathed. It has very few and mild side effects, but I can't find any testimonies of anyone who has actually taken it.