Has anyone forgone sentinel node biopsies?

I am 75 and am taking part in the SMALL trial running here in UK which builds on the above research.
Had 7mm tumour removed in Feb 2024 without nodal biopsy as axilla was clear , followed by one weeks whole breast radiation and Anastrozole ( Arimidex) for five years. First of five annual mammograms in Jan 2025 returned all clear result. Hope this information is of value to people considering this less invasive treatment option.

Thank you for sharing this @reflector75 . That is interesting - we need additional studies to prove whether outcomes can be repeated.
I am excited not to have sentinel biopsies, but at the same time, because this has been so standard as part of lumpectomy surgery, it makes me a bit nervous. Innovations in treatments often feel uncomfortable, but I will go with it and hope that I have the same outcome as you.

Wishing you well . I was offered this trial option by my surgeon and was interested in it as I’m aware of the complications that can sometimes follow in terms of long term oedema etc from axillary biopsy. In my case I think I made in right call.
As it happened 9 days post surgery I suffered bi- lateral pulmonary emboli , which luckily were treated very promptly with an excellent outcome, although a scary experience. It was considered that these were ‘ just bad luck’ due to the hyper coaguability that cancer can provoke. In fact when my surgeon learned about this she told me she was glad I had chosen the less invasive vacuum extraction trial option, as she considered that had I not gone into the trial and undergone the conventional surgery , my post surgical outcomes might have been even more severe in clotting terms.

Putting this into perspective of time. 40 years ago, they were still doing radical or Halstead mastectomies, 30 years ago many women still got mastectomies, 20 years ago many women still got chemo AND radiation, 10 years ago I noticed a real shift to do the lumpectomy check the sentinel nodes and if they were clear ……. watch and wait. Since my family has seen breast cancer during all of this time and my own dx 20 years ago, I have enjoyed watching the progression.
I am grateful to you @cmce and @reflector75 for leading the way for yet another shift to less aggressive treatments. Give yourselves a bow for your courage to do this even though it is scary.
Where do you think we might we go in the future? How will you celebrate helping to move to care forward?

@auntieoakley This was my line of thinking, too. Progress can be scary, especially being among the first group to go along with new research. Breast cancer treatments were radical in the past. Changes such as this one are meant to provide women with the least amount of invasive surgery while providing the same excellent hope for success. My hopes are high, and like @reflector75 said, avoiding complications that may arise with node biopsies seems like a good choice, given the givens.
It is hard to think past the surgery at this time. I want to wait until that is over and the Oncotype results are in. I am most afraid of those results, but keeping my hopes high as this was found early, and it is early stage IDC.

Oh my! I am sorry you had to go through that. Yes, node healing at the same time would have made this much more challenging.

I had 2-3 removed during a double mastectomy in 2024. I did fine and did not develop lymphedema. The sentinel node biopsy was recommended by my oncologist and surgeon. I was thankful for this procedure as it dictated the course of treatment I would need to take. Everything came back clear from the biopsy!
It is encouraging to see that you too are viewing the research and being your own advocate. Best to you in your care!

When I had my lumpectomy the end of January, it was not even an option that was mentioned to forgo the sentinel node biopsy. I had an out of body experience going into surgery with a deep inner knowing that I did not need this surgery. I did have complications from the sentinel node surgery that kept me in the hospital. My lymph nodes were clear. If I had seen this study prior to that I would have definitely made a different decision. I am 68, ILC stage one grade 2, .7 MM, low genetic risk factor. So many tough decisions on this journey!

i was given no choice, they couldnt find the sentinal node so all removed (around 15) and all were negative
i really wanted to be spared their removal
i didnt know an ultrasound could detect affected nodes!

That was part of my decision to go for SMALL ( UK) trial -as tumour was small (7mm) and ultrasound showed clear axilla. Tumour was removed by vacuum extraction with local anaesthesia - essentially a kind of ‘super biopsy’.