Opting out of radiation or chemo

ComfortSlings® are soft cushions on adjustable straps that tuck beneath the breast to keep the area dry and to prevent skin-to-skin rubbing and abrasion. I used the sling from the first day of radiation. By my treatments' end, my skin had darkened slightly but was otherwise unchanged - no broken skin; no pain!. The Sling is a game-changer. http://www.ComfortSlings.com

Hi
What qualifications do you need for oncotype testing?
I am waiting for pathology dcis in situ carcinoma surgery was Dec 15th. Did you go on any hormone meds?

Hi @katho3 -- In 2013, at 54, I had a double mastectomy since I have the BRCA2 mutation. (We later discovered I also have the CHEK2 mutation.) My cancer was stage 1, medium grade, DCIS, LVI, 7 mm, clear margins, HR/ER+ HER2-. Radiation and chemo were not recommended due to the mastectomy and stage 1. My surgeon told me 1-3% chance of recurrence. Then my oncologist (her partner) told me I had a 99.6% survival rate with a hormone blocker and 99.2% without so he recommended I didn't take it. Ultimately, I only did the surgery.

In 2020, I found a lump in my chest and pectoral muscle. It was now highly aggressive cancer. Removed by surgery, but I had a positive margin. 37 radiation treatments. Now on Kisqali and Letrozole for over 2 years and for as long as they keep working. I'm 64 now, the meds have side effects, but nothing to make me stop taking them.

My original surgeon acted shocked I didn't take a hormone blocker originally and said it would have reduced my risk of recurrence by 50%. I saw her the entire 7 years for follow-ups and she knew I wasn't taking one. CYA

Bottom line - my current oncologist completely disagrees with what I was told back in 2013 both about risk and meds. You may want to consider getting a second opinion for peace of mind. Also remember that you can always stop taking the hormone blocker if you can't tolerate the side effects. I hope this is helpful. Blessings to you!

Having DCIS is qualification enough to request the Oncotype DCIS genetic test. It will tell you the percentage of chance for reoccurrence or new bc. My percentage was in the low range so I opted for a lumpectomy & no radiation, even though it was highly recommended, much to the dismay of my Oncologist. I did a lot of research on radiation & the meds & didn’t feel it was worth the risk of potential bad side effects. Another factor in my decision was that the breast can only be radiated one time so if there is a reoccurrence or other type of bc, the only option left would have been mastectomy. Since I do have an higher than normal chance for getting bc again I wanted to leave my options open. Also chose to not take the hormone suppression meds. My lumpectomy pathology report showed no cancer at all was present. It was apparently all removed in my stereotactic biopsy. I do faithfully get a yearly mammogram & 1 diagnostic mammogram on that breast (for 5 years) to catch anything that might show up. So far my mammograms this year were perfectly clear. I wish you the best on the decision you make!!

Hi
I don't have large breasts would you suggest still using it. Since my surgery I would say my right breast is now a B and it was AC.

Agree! I never even thought of getting a second opinion until all my active treatment was done. In my case, I had no choice about whether to do dose dense chemo and full blown radiation therapy. I just did it. Then after it was done, the oncologist said "we'll do 5 yrs Tamoxifen" I said "wait, what??!! I'm way past menopause" That sounded too cookie cutter to me, and sure enough (after seeking a second opinion at an actual cancer center), it was. I am now on Anastrozole (as well as having done 3 years Zometa) not without cost. My treatment decisions at this point are based on information from medical professionals not engaged in a past generation's thinking AND fear. The fear part is not debilitating, but for me, keeps it real.

Tamoxifen is actually very good. I’m post menopause too and being treated by a very famous breast cancer oncologist who prescribe me tamoxifen because I have osteoporosis. I’m very happy because I knew tamoxifen is very effective.

Hi
What is a stereotactic biopsy? Well you have given me a lot of information to think about? But until I get my pathology and hormone testing. I guess I need to just wait. Is the oncologist The one that gives you the oncotype type test.

Sterotactic biopsy is where you lay face down on a table & your breast goes through a hole in the table. They clamp the breast under the table like during a mammogram & do a mammogram guided biopsy.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-biopsy/multimedia/stereotactic-breast-biopsy/img-20008883
Yes, it was the Oncologist who orders the Oncotype test. I would wait for all the results so you can make an informed decision for yourself once you have all the information. Meanwhile research extensively at reputable sites like Mayo & Cleveland clinic on whatever treatments the doctors are suggesting. Search the comments on here to see others experiences with treatments. Don’t let them pressure you into making a decision. Mine thought I was crazy for not getting radiation. It all depends on the degree of the DCIS, genetic test results that will be specific to you since they look at your biopsy or pathology sample to grade the test & also consider the margins of the pathology. I felt mine was a no brainer since there was no cancer present in my pathology report & my DCIS was an early stage. It wasn’t too long ago that doctors recommended a complete mastectomy for DCIS instead of lumpectomy’s. Only time will tell if I made the right decision but for my specific case.

Tamoxifen is actually very good. I’m post menopause too and being treated by a very famous breast cancer oncologist who prescribe me tamoxifen because I have osteoporosis. I’m very happy because I knew tamoxifen is very effective.