1. < Breast Cancer

Deciding on radiation or not

Posted by frogjumper @frogjumper, May 17, 2023

So, I have been going back and forth about radiation now for awhile. I am trying to pursue Proton Beam which seems safe enough considering my tumor bed is directly over my heart. So for me I know I wont' do regular radiation. But this is what perplexes me and makes my decision difficult. Basically 3 out of 100 women like me will have a recurrence without radiation, with radiation 2 out of 100 will have a recurrence. I read that and think...is radiation worth it? bearing in my mind my tumor was low grade, tiny and no lymph nodes, clear margins and very well behaving, it actually decreased in size over 6 months prior to surgery.
Is it time to just walk away from treatment and enjoy my good fortune?
I'd appreciate any input.

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anjalima | @anjalima | Oct 29, 2023
In reply to @meomurian "Thanks! I don't need chemo!!! I am so happy! I found out yesterday. Just have to..." + (show)
@meomurian

Thanks! I don't need chemo!!! I am so happy! I found out yesterday. Just have to take anastrozole for 5 years. I'm willing to do that if it will help keep the cancer from coming back again.

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Great news!!!! I was similarly lucky with a favorable ONCOTYPE analysis. On Anastrozole for 18 mos. So far so good … with a two mos. Heavy side effect blip when pharmacy changed manufacturer… back to original manufacturer and all good.

Be aware of manufacturer and check each time you fill your script. I appear to have been sensitive to that change.

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jessicanell | @jessicanell | Oct 29, 2023

I had a small 1A IDC no nodes positive. They said bc of my “young age” 52 radiation was recommended. If I was 65 or older no radiation. It cuts the recurrence of the cancer by 2/3 so I did it. It was unpleasant but fine. 15 days.

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baylaurel | @baylaurel | Oct 29, 2023
In reply to @cobb "I don’t know. Have you asked your doc at Proton? If they say yes, I can..." + (show)
@cobb

I don’t know. Have you asked your doc at Proton? If they say yes, I can bring some to Proton for you. I only have partial breast radiation and the film size is 4 x 4.8 inches and one dressing covers my area so I will have leftover film. Let me know area size so I know how many to bring. My name is Lynn and I will have my last treatment next Friday. PS- my skin is old and fair too!!

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That’s a very kind offer Cobb/Lynn. That is so great the Mepitel worked so well for you. I have emailed my doctor about Mepitel, or something stronger I can use. I will let you know if Mepitel is recommended for me. (It’s the chest wall plus axilla, so a large area.) I only have 4 of 28 treatments left so I should also be done this next week if I continue. So anxious about making the rash and burn pain even worse with the remaining treatments.

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meomurian | @meomurian | Oct 31, 2023
In reply to @anjalima "Great news!!!! I was similarly lucky with a favorable ONCOTYPE analysis. On Anastrozole for 18 mos...." + (show)
@anjalima

Great news!!!! I was similarly lucky with a favorable ONCOTYPE analysis. On Anastrozole for 18 mos. So far so good … with a two mos. Heavy side effect blip when pharmacy changed manufacturer… back to original manufacturer and all good.

Be aware of manufacturer and check each time you fill your script. I appear to have been sensitive to that change.

Jump to this post

Thanks for letting me know about the pharmacy blip. My husband had a similar experience when his chemo pill changed manufacturer. He’s now on the brand-name and doing much better with side effects.

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