Fear of radiation after lumpectomy

@lynnn It's all so confusing but from what I understand the radiation in mammos is targeted so much better now than in previous years. Your doc will know your risks. I had a breast MRI and was really hesitant as I'm claustrophobic but it wasn't bad as it's done on your stomach so I didn't feel quite so confined. So much to learn and think about. Thanks for sharing your story and I'm hoping your siblings and daughter don't have the problem with the TP53 gene. Hugs to you.

I am 20 plus years survivor of breast cancer, DCIS. I had a lumpectomy and radiation and chose not to do the tamoxifen. Your decision depends on you and your family, along with your oncologist input and type of cancer you had. When I had cancer i had to come to terms with the fact that it was my decision and not someone else's on how it is treated. The other disappointment I had and still do to some extent is the lack of connection with the naturopaths and medical teams and dietitians when it comes to these decisions. I made the right decisions for the times but if it were today, I might think twice about radiation for what I had, and would include a vegetarian or vegan diet and use only natural personal care products as my road to good health. The only side effect I had (that I know of) with radiation therapy was a terrible skin rash on my breast that the radiologist said was not caused by radiation, but I got another opinion from a dermatologist and she said it definitely was. It was treated with cortisone and did not return. I did use supplements during radiation and went about my daily life and work. Again, this is such a personal decision that may not be best for you.

Hi. My radiation treatments were rescheduled to allow more time for healing. Now my “programming session” is set for March 6th.

I was on the verge of hysteria I was so afraid of radiation. Then I remembered a friend suggested YouTube so I typed in breast cancer radiation and found a wonderful video by a young woman who was going through the process herself (several years ago - now she’s posting about her new baby!) Anyway, the video I found so helpful was entitled “Breast Cancer Radiation Tips & Skin Update” by Samantha Lynn. After watching her video, which gives 10 great tips from someone who knows, I went from almost hysterical with fear to calm and more confident. Not thrilled but much more comfortable with the decision. Hope this helps.

I am 20 plus years survivor of breast cancer, DCIS. I had a lumpectomy and radiation and chose not to do the tamoxifen. Your decision depends on you and your family, along with your oncologist input and type of cancer you had. When I had cancer i had to come to terms with the fact that it was my decision and not someone else's on how it is treated. The other disappointment I had and still do to some extent is the lack of connection with the naturopaths and medical teams and dietitians when it comes to these decisions. I made the right decisions for the times but if it were today, I might think twice about radiation for what I had, and would include a vegetarian or vegan diet and use only natural personal care products as my road to good health. The only side effect I had (that I know of) with radiation therapy was a terrible skin rash on my breast that the radiologist said was not caused by radiation, but I got another opinion from a dermatologist and she said it definitely was. It was treated with cortisone and did not return. I did use supplements during radiation and went about my daily life and work. Again, this is such a personal decision that may not be best for you.

@rpierro
My story is very similar to yours. My DCIS was 24 years ago with lumpectomy w/o clear margins, 2nd lumpectomy then 30 fractions of radiation. On advice I insisted on ointment to use ‘just in case of skin reaction.’ Worked beautifully: never burned skin. Mammos clear until a year ago.
Now same breast with inverted nipple and ILC. Repeating testing done last year to make my decision. At 79, I feel great with a positive attitude. Our bodies, our decisions after research, advice, discussion!

@mimi09 What was your overall Gy dose?

@dfspfs I have no idea what you’re referring to. My radiation was 30 fractions. Other than that I was given no info. And it was in 2002, 24 years ago. Times were different then, as were medical procedures. A friend had much more radiation than I did, 30 years earlier than me. I liken it to the dosages in birth control pills in the early days versus today. And there must be other examples as well.