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Fear of radiation after lumpectomy

Posted by diane12 @diane12, Apr 19, 2018

I was seriously thinking of refusing radiation after lumpectomy because I had complete removal of tumor with wide negative margins. I was convinced that there would be no lung, rib, or heart radiation by using the prone(lying on stomach) with breast hanging down. They have been very careful with treatments & very accommodating so after 4 treatments I am feeling more secure by my decision to do this to ensure all cancer was caught.

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lynnn | @lynnn | Oct 4 9:48am
In reply to @peggrady "@lynnn It's all so confusing but from what I understand the radiation in mammos is targeted..." + (show)
Profile picture for peggrady @peggrady

@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.

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@peggrady thank you for your kind thoughts. Having mammos for so many years probably exposed me to too
much radiation, so this pathogenic gene didn’t help. Even with less radiation with mammos now, I am hesitant to absorb any more. I’ll ask my oncologist for
her advice. I got these cancers in my 80’s, which is unusual from this syndrome. I am otherwise healthy but I will die from something. But would like to avoid a cancer death.

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haydia123 | @haydia123 | Oct 5 8:02pm

Thank you for the post about using the (Pron). I will pursue with my medical staff. I just received a diagnosis of Malignant Neoplasm of lower-outer quadrant of right breast of female, estrogen receptor positive (HCC) I'm not aware of the next step however I'm 76 in December and my mom had the lumpectomy with radiation after while in her mid 80's. She lived to be 96 without cancer as cause of death.

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@mimi09 | @mimi09 | Oct 12 4:45am
In reply to @rpierro "I am 20 plus years survivor of breast cancer, DCIS. I had a lumpectomy and radiation..." + (show)
Profile picture for rpierro @rpierro

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.

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@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!

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