Connect
← Return to Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): Anyone else?
Discussion
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): Anyone else?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Mar 24 10:10am | Replies (223)Comment receiving replies
invasive ductal carcinoma left breast stage 2, grade 1. Surgeon concerned about right breast and thought there might be more growth in left. I have 90 minute one way drive to best area to get help-so decided against getting MRI, went ahead with double mastectomy. Post op yesterday she said my instincts were right and that I’m a conundrum. Instead of another lump in left breast I have many tumors so small they would not show on MRI, also in right breast. I could not take anastrazole due to debilitating side affects (I’m 77 with spine degeneration but otherwise good health). My tumor is not following normal staging and they are doing more advanced tests. She recommends radiation on both breasts, then tamoxifen that apparently strengthens bones as well. I live alone and quality and independence are everything to me at this point. I’m concerned about heart and lung damage from 4 weeks of radiation, have same driving distance issues and would have to spend nights in hotel. Im concerned about destroying my white blood cells in the middle of a pandemic. Am just starting researching and will be interviewing 3 radiation oncologists. At the moment, considering the challenges I’m thinking of taking a chance on just the tamoxifen.
Replies to "invasive ductal carcinoma left breast stage 2, grade 1. Surgeon concerned about right breast and thought..."
When you do radiotherapy, radiation please stay on your belly. I just saw this video that explains how to avoid heart or lungs damage: https://youtu.be/syUlIvOoZsU
Connect
my case...DCIS in right breast in 2007 and idc in left breast in 2018.... lumpectomies with radiation both times...tamoxifen the first time...anastrozole the second time. I think I am wondering if you have had bilateral mastectomy, then why do you need radiation at all? In my cases, I was told that the radiation should take care of any cancer cells left in the breast. If you have had both breasts removed, then there should not be a need for radiation. The chances of stray cancer cells is minimal. After genetic testing following the second cancer, I found that I have the CHEK2 genetic mutation. I just had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. I was told that this should prevent me getting BC again. There was damage to both breasts caused by the radiation. Who knows what else has been damaged? I think if I had your history, was 77 and was taking tamoxifen, I would pass on the radiation. My cousin has had bilateral breast cancer with mastectomy both times and has passed on having radiation and is not taking aramatose inhibitors and she has not had a problem. Who knows what is the right thing to do. Everyone is different and every case is different.