The statistic I was given today at my surgeons office was 40% recurrence without radiation and 7-10 % with radiation usually within the first 2 years after surgery. I am 67 years old. I do not want to have to have another surgery so I am seriously thinking about radiation. My lumpectomy was on the left side directly over my heart. I was told by a radiology technician that there is a technique of holding your breath to expand your lungs during the treatment. This increases the distance between the radiation and the heart. It’s a tough decision along with taking endocrine blockers for 5 years with low grade DCIS.