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Radiation or not

Breast Cancer | Last Active: Mar 6 7:58am | Replies (66)

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@elliej

I was actually going to comment today on radiation after lumpectomy, so glad you wrote your comment. I am 73 years old, generally healthy but have early Osteopenia. I was also diagnosed with ER+PR+ HR2-. My surgeon removed a 15mm lump and cleaned up a bit of old ductal calcification. The Oncologist advised Letrosole for 5-10 years (with possibility of multiple side effects). The Radiation Oncologist advised a short course (5day) of radiation. Because of my low OncoType (16) score combined with my age and early stage cancer, they felt that I should do one or the other, pills or radiation. I chose radiation. Finished my treatment Nov. 11. The treatment decision is very difficult. I feel that each doc believes in their particular path of expertise. I’ve read enough to know that the entire process is a number/percentile guesstimate. At my age, I want the best quality of life. I know the mortality rate is the same for most survivors with similar diagnosis. You may want to visit with other patients making their choices on treatment. I asked many friends and family members and had several revisits with both doctors. I prayed and made my decision. Best to you and blessings along the way.

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Replies to "I was actually going to comment today on radiation after lumpectomy, so glad you wrote your..."

Thank you elliej. Although your tumor was much smaller than mine, I may ask the radiologist about a shorter dose of radiation. She said it would be 16 treatments over 3.5 weeks. They didn’t do an onco score because it wasn’t needed, and no lymph biopsy either. Instead a thorough ultrasound of the lymph nodes which looked normal. It seems there is a tendency to do less treatment rather than more.
Best of luck to you on your journey.