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How long was your radiation therapy?
The first time I had breast cancer, back in 2007, I did radiation treatments for 35 days. I have noticed that many people on this site say they have or are doing 30+ days of radiation. This past summer I did radiation again, but only for 21 days. Now I am wondering why mine was so short. I ended up leaving my oncologist this time. He did things that aggravated me...like having his own agenda and not wanting to listen to me or answer my questions. It bothers me that he never suggested proton therapy instead of radiation...I would have liked to have known if it was an option. I feel that I should have been made aware of it. I am interested in knowing if many of you have had the accelerated radiation treatment like I did.
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Thebradiation oncologist at Mayo recommended 20 treatments for me. I talked with two additional radiation oncologists closet to home. One refused to do radiation shorter than 35 treatments. I ended up with 20 treatments at UIHC. There is research that indicates lesser radiation is effective.
My radiation oncologist said the same thing. I must say that I was glad but apprehensive as well. The first time I did radiation...35 days, I hyperventilated getting to exit sign on the last day...I had had enough and was afraid I would pass out and they would drag me back into the building. This time was much easier except I had psychological issues going on because the radiologist that did 2 MRIs on me 6 months apart gave me benign diagnoses and I believe that my cancer would not have been invasive if he had done his job right. What is UIHC? I’m glad someone is on the same page as myself. I didn’t have a problem tolerating the radiation either time, but this las time has affected the skin somewhat....it feels harder. Thanks @marykaym63.
UIHC University of Iowa hospitals and Clinics
Since I had node involvement that had eroded, I was given 30 radiation treatments (Stage 1, grade 3). Had I not had nodes, I would have only received 25 treatments. It all depends on the type of breast cancer and location I think. No two people are alike. My radiation was in 4 areas and the final 5 treatments were a "breast boost."
I had 15 radiation treatments. They were targeted to the specific tumor site. I had lumpectomy in November 2018 for stage 1a invasive ductual carcioma. Radiation began the week before Christmas.
I just started my first of 30 treatments. 25 will be whole breast radiation, then the last 5 with be targeted to the tumor/ lumpectomy sites. I have IDC HER+, ER+, PR+. I was told the radiation plan is specifically tailored to each person’s cancer needs.