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@frogjumper—I, too, am going back and forth about radiation. My diagnosis was low grade, stage 0 DCIS. I had a lumpectomy on 4/4; the lesion was 7mm, with 6mm clear margins all around and hormone positive.
On the advice of my medical oncologist, I am not doing the hormone blocker. The Sloan Kettering nomogram for my circumstances says 6% recurrence in 5 years and 9% in 10 years without radiation; reduced to 2% and 4% with radiation. I have a CAT scan on Friday to determine if I am a candidate for localized radiation vs whole breast. Radiation oncologist says my situation is “special” due to small size and large margins and I may be able to have a much abbreviated course. However, the lesion was over my heart. Proton therapy is not available here, nor is brachytherapy, but I was also told about the breath holding to help avoid the heart.
This is a difficult decision and it seems like I’m changing my mind daily. What makes it more difficult is that there is no clear or right answer. My PCP says the right path for me will become apparent and to go with my gut! Best wishes to you, @frogjumper.
Replies to "@frogjumper—I, too, am going back and forth about radiation. My diagnosis was low grade, stage 0..."
@katho3 @frogjumper and everyone here....It is May 20, 2026 and I had left breast lumpectomy on April 1. My Grade 2, 2cm tumor, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma was caught in a mamogram on Feb. 18.
My doctor recommended 5 days of targeted radiation therapy followed by 5 years of the hormone blocking pills. The margins were clear and no lymph node involvement. They found a 4.8 aneurysmal dilatation on my ascending aorta in the pre-surgery MRI. I have also had pneumonia several times in the past, but that was over a decade ago.
I went to my radiation consultation, and my BP was higher than I've ever known. The nurse stated that it was dangerously high and I should go to the ER (the cancer center is at the hospital) It went even higher after that. I said I would contact my PCP the next day and request BP medication, which I did. I took it for 1 week (half dose) and ended up starting to get Stevens Johnson, which I got with ADHD medication years ago. My lips were swollen and blistered, and my tongue was sore with geographic tongue patterns. I stopped the Losartan, and that has diminished. I'm thinking, if that happened with such a common medication on half-dose in one week, perhaps I need to reassess the radiation. The do not use Proton, nor do they let you lie facing downward. The heart/aorta issue scares me as the tumor was at 10 o'clock on left side, right over my heart. ....I am not sleeping now. My husband somehow came down with Salmonella and was very sick when I was to go for the mapping appointment, so I canceled it. I felt at peace at first, but now worry I am doing the wrong thing. I am also following a plant-based diet, making the juice, salads, smoothies and recipes suggested in the Square 1 Course (Chris Beat Cancer) and on other sites, such as Food Revolution. I am truly fearful of the side effects of the radiation (one again is Stevens Johnson, and the heart and lung issues) that may not even be apparent until months or years later. I know I'm going on and on, but I just am really struggling now. It looks like the post in this thread are several years old in most cases. HOW are you doing now? Do you have regrets....were there side-effects besides the "sunburn" (which I'm not even worried about) that came up later? Thanks.
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Thank you frog jumper for your input. It sounds like we have a similar situation except for the pathology report. After speaking with my oncologist and radiology team again yesterday I am back to feeling calm and sure of my decision to have radiation with them. They are all such caring and compassionate people willing to comfort and assure . I am not going to take the medication and my doctor said she supports my decision because of my situation.
My twin granddaughters turn Sweet 16 tomorrow and it has been a such a joy in my life to watch them blossom into themselves. I understand your desire to be around for your grand babies. They bring so much happiness into our lives and that is the best medicine and distraction.
I’m truly grateful for having had a second opinion switching to a team of expert doctors and compassionate care. I’m trusting them and my decisions