Lumpectomy with radiation vs mastectomy for stage 1 invasive plus DCIS

I should probably have added that my endocrinologist has said that my elevated liver enzymes (LFTs) could be the result of losing almost 50 lbs., which has helped my knee immensely. I can climb steps without pain later at night now. (I do have to brace it, however.)
Also, I paid out of pocket on the one-year anniversary of my lumpectomy to have an ultra sound (HerScan) at a traveling van place. I flunked and that led me to a wonderful and compassionate Texas oncologist who got me the oncotype and cares if I live or die.
I failed to mention that the University of Iowa oncologist who was my "second opinion" (and is now my only Midwestern oncologist to supervise me when I'm in the Midwest) , when asked why I.C. would not have radiated me said, "Because you're a woman in your 70s."

I also failed to mention that my Dad had colon cancer, which traveled to his liver and killed him 6 months after surgery. Hence, the CT scan with contrast in May to make sure something dire was not happening. It was fine, but we are still trying to pin down the elevated LFTs. Another theory is that the need to take 2 strong antibiotics for one of the (many) UTIs near New Year's Eve gave me a fungal infection, which then necessitated taking a pill for that (Flucosomine or some such) that is not a good thing for your liver.
All in all, I no longer trust 2 of the 3 oncologists I've had, and I am aware that my joke about the new Medical Mantra (YOYO---You're On Your Own) is really true in 2024. Since I was born in 1945, it's been a slow erosion of my trust and belief in most medical experts. Even the experts don't agree, as indicated by the conflicting information regarding radiation. Radiation was not bad and it's all I really can say I am glad I did, as directed by one (of two) oncologists. I consulted the radiologist who had found the tumor on Pearl Harbor Day of 2021 and went forward, and it is probably a good thing in my own case.

Another

Everything I've read has indicated that if you can keep the breast and have just a lumpectomy, it is superior in many ways, both psychologically and physically. Obviously, this does not apply to those who have high stages of b.c. and lots of spread, but I'm talking about the average presentation like mine, which was 1A, no spread, good margins, 11 mm. 95% estrogen positive, caught early.

Which breast had the cancer? Was there any lymph node involvement? What year were you diagnosed? Big hugs.

I've heard radiation called "the gift which keeps on giving", so I want to make an informed decision. Did you have a mastectomy? Which breast? Any lymph node involvement?

Mastectomy in remaining breast. Some lymph nodes removed - forget now how many. It was a grade 3 aggressive cancer. I don't understand why radiotherapy would cause continuing problems after the burns heal and the fatigue goes away. I'm nearly 77.

My husband had radiotherapy on his prostate bed in 2002 and it damaged his rectum. To this day, it causes him pain.

Good day, I wanted to write and let you know my experiences.
I have/had stage 2 invasive, triple negative.
I just had skin sparing bi-lateral mastectomy yesterday, and I am also going to have expanders for reconstruction in a few weeks.
There were a few reasons that I did this, but it is a personal choice.
1. Being 54, my thought process is if I have to do the chemo again that it would suck when I am older.
2. I had very dense breast tissue, and get fatty tumors in my breasts all the time, so much so that since august of 2023 I have had 4 biopsies.
3. There did a biopsy of the lymph nodes while I was under and they are clear which means no radiation which we were all hoping for.

Honestly, I am feeling quite well after the surgery and am convinced it was the right choice for me, but again, it is a personal choice.

I wish you all the luck in battling this.

I had HER2 positive breast cancer at age 79. I had a lumpectomy and a year of chemo, plus 5 weeks of radiation. I refused Tamoxifen. Other than the first 2 weeks of Taxol and the dose was lowered by 20 percent, it wasn't hard .The chemo was actually relaxing, sitting in a chair under a warm blanket and being served apple juice.
My hair came back in after chemo with curls, better than any hair I've ever had before. It's back to it's straight self at age 82.
I had Herceptin with my chemo for the HER2 positive. I recently saw my oncologist and after looking at my blood work he said he didn't expect the cancer to return.
The most problematic thing is that I had some peripheral neuropathy before, the chemo made it worse and now I can't drive.

I just did a double mastectomy on 4/8/24 with a stage 0 DCIS in my left breast. My thinking was I just want to be done. I have read and talked to a person who had radiation on her left breast and it fried her heart valve. She ended up with an open heart surgery. That was enough for me. After path came back it was actually stage 1 so moving it to invasive ductal carcinoma. The surprise was there was a 11 cm tubular tumor as well. I was super happy with my decision. Prior to surgery no one could palpitate either tumor. It was not in my lymph nodes and I have a 3% chance of recurrence, which the oncologist said she rarely sees people in the single digits. I do not have to have chemo or radiation, and taken estrogen blockers was my choice. I decided against it. My mental health is 100% better on the other side of surgery. I also do not have to ever have another mammogram. Everyone has to make their own choice this was just my story.

I don't pretend to know how anyone else has felt about the "loss" of their
breasts in any capacity, but I know that---with America's obsession with
our mammary glands---I wanted as little damage done to mine as possible. I
admire those women who have embraced being "flat" and flaunt it, but I
guess I'm not that brave. In my youth and adulthood, my breasts were an
asset to my overall appearance, and it both physically and psychologically
has been a blow to even have just a small dent now in the right breast. I
hope I don't have to adjust to completely losing either one, but I
acknowledge that it isn't worth losing one's life over that particular body
part. Still, to me, personally, it would be a big blow to have to adjust to
the loss of them--or even of one of them. Again, hats off to the brave pink
warriors who have made their peace with such an assault on their bodies I'm
still trying to adjust to the unsightly gash that my lumpectomy caused. We
all do what we have to do, and I'll adjust if I have to, but it doesn't
seem like it would be easy to say "farewell" to that particular body part,
after 78 years as one of my better attributes. I definitely am too old for
reconstruction, I think, but.....