Dependjng on your health and other circumstances, that may have been a wise decision. There are no gaurantees with any treatment.

You should make what you believe is the right decision for yourself. But I was wondering where you saw that there was a risk to the bladder and bowels from vaginal brachytherapy. I didn't see that when I researched it. Side effects like those can be caused by external beam radiation. I also have not had any noticeable side effects from brachytherapy myself. They do recommend that you use a vaginal dilator afterwards to prevent hardening and shrinkage of the vagina, but I haven't found that to be much of an inconvenience.

I had uterine cancer and it was exactly diagnosed like yours. I am having 4 chemotherapy treatments and 5 brachytherapy treatments. Since we both have the same diagnosis I want you to know I am having these treatments because the Oncologist said that when they take the uterus through the vagina they can’t be sure that some cells didn’t “flake” off. I am doing fantastic.!!!!! I hope you do more research and I can only hope you come to a different conclusion.

@gratefulcat As @val64 wrote you should make the decision that is the right one for you. I don’t know of anyone in our Support Group that refused radiation treatment for a low-to mid-risk endometrial cancer. I checked back through our Support Group and did not find anyone however I encourage you to do the same. You may find a discussion that is helpful to you.

I had external pelvic radiation (25 treatments) and 2 vaginal brachytherapy for a recurrence of endometrial cancer (endometrioid adenocarcinoma, FIGO 1, Stage 1a). The cancer was considered low grade and non agressive. I write this because not all cancers are alike. So the recommendations that are made and the decisions a person makes depends on the kind of cancer and how agressive it is.

During external pelvic radiation I had a few instances of diarrhea but that cleared up within a few weeks after I completed the treatments. I was informed that I also might have bladder problems that would feel like a UTI during external pelvic radiation and that occurred briefly. Mostly I was fatigued. It was recommended that I use a vaginal moisturizer and a dilator after brachytherapy which I’ve continued to do.

I am 16 months “out” from the radiation treatments and have had no lasting effects from radiation.

Here is a discussion that you may find relevant to your question.

How did you feel after pelvic radiation was completed?

— https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-did-you-feel-after-pelvic-radiation-was-completed/

I had a total hysterectomy 6 weeks ago, diagnosed as stage 1a, Serous Carcinoma of the uterus. The uterus was removed through the vagina. It is too early to begin brachytherapy since the vagina is still healing, but I’m pretty sure I will not do it. I, too, am concerned about side effects and how indefinite the kind and length of side effects predictions are. I am 89, in good health, but know my best years are behind me. I want to be sure I don’t do anything that will mess up quality of the time I still have left.