1. < Breast Cancer

Radiation or not

Posted by gerarda @gerarda, Nov 23, 2022

Hi,
I’m 77 and had a lumpectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma. ER+, Her2-, 1.4cm.
Oncologist said radiation and tamoxifen,
Tamoxifen because I have mild osteoporosis and it’s less damaging to the bones. She also said that it was reasonable for me to skip RT.
The radiologist said with radiation the chance of recurrence would be 1-2%, without radiation it would be 10%. She also said it would be okay to skip radiation because the overall survival rate is the same, with or without radiation. Has anyone had to make that choice? I would love some input. Thanks.

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anjalima | @anjalima | Feb 13 5:49am
In reply to @mc18089 "Thank you so much. I have just sent them an email. It is so difficult to..." + (show)
@mc18089

Thank you so much. I have just sent them an email. It is so difficult to get my oncologist to give me information. I am trying to get a 2nd consult with another cancer group. I have only one kidney, that is also stage 3 CKD and taking the recptor blockers and the radiation is a concern, as well the distance I have to travel because I live so rural to any major cities.

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Hoping you can get involved in this trial. There are non breast cancer related medical exclusions. Best of luck to you.

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saraabrooks | @saraabrooks | Feb 13 12:26pm
In reply to @mc18089 "I am a 75 yr old female. I recently went thru radical double mastectomy with 1..." + (show)
@mc18089

I am a 75 yr old female. I recently went thru radical double mastectomy with 1 lymph node removal for 11% hormone receptor cancer. I do not want to go through radiation. I have been trying to research articles on radiation pros and cons at my age. It would be a hardship on me to travel a hour and half each way to radiation every day for several weeks. Any opinions would be helpful.

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Omg, you're singing a song to The choir! I have read in medical journals and went to the library for Physicians. I don't have the website link right now, but it has been shown in clinical studies that to give someone over 70 years old radiation or chemo is a waste of time. And studies with control groups showed there was no benefit of doing radiation because it was a very slight benefit not worth the time and trouble. You have to get on the internet and check out all these sites that are just crazy with information. I took this to my surgeon who is the director of oncology surgery at my hospital and she agreed. She looked at me and she said she was going to bring it up but she wants to see how I progress. I told her I'm not taking chemo or radiation. Please extend your search to some medical journals or get a second opinion.

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grateful26 | @grateful26 | Feb 13 1:12pm
In reply to @mc18089 "I am a 75 yr old female. I recently went thru radical double mastectomy with 1..." + (show)
@mc18089

I am a 75 yr old female. I recently went thru radical double mastectomy with 1 lymph node removal for 11% hormone receptor cancer. I do not want to go through radiation. I have been trying to research articles on radiation pros and cons at my age. It would be a hardship on me to travel a hour and half each way to radiation every day for several weeks. Any opinions would be helpful.

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I did 6 weeks of radiation 5 times per week. I really didn’t want to do anything but I prayed about it and decided it would be the least traumatic! Luckily, I didn’t need Chemo or Tamoxifen and if I did I doubt I would have survived the after effects. But, that’s me! My body does not do well with any prescription drugs. I will be 77 in May and need a repeat mammogram in March because last one was iffy looking. But, checked with my surgeon and she thought it was a format of calcifications. I trust her judgment! I was lucky because I had stage 1 Advanced Ductal Carcinoma and it was a successful and easy procedure without any pain. Only, the internal radiation burning was intolerable and lasted for months. The Radiologist made me a special cream and I took Homeopathy treatment pellets. They helped!
I am grateful for the wonderful care I received in Baltimore, Maryland at Mercy Hospital for Women. I wish you peace and luck in all your choices and success!
Sincerely, Jo Dabney

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beachbabe | @beachbabe | Mar 6 6:00am
In reply to @thseabreze "There is also the chance, likely, for lymphadema and fibrosis, from radiation. I have both, and..." + (show)
@thseabreze

There is also the chance, likely, for lymphadema and fibrosis, from radiation. I have both, and it is terrible.

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What type of radiation did you have and for how long?

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beachbabe | @beachbabe | Mar 6 6:22am
In reply to @maryjane61 "I chose no radiation as well, felt the endocrine therapy was enough of a preventative, and..." + (show)
@maryjane61

I chose no radiation as well, felt the endocrine therapy was enough of a preventative, and yes the % of reoccurrence with or without radiation was just not enough to put my body through any more havoc !

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What was your risk of recurrence with and without radiation?

I had a lumpectomy for IDC HER2+ last month and struggling with this decision. RO said my risk of occurrence is 7.3% if I do nothing further, 2.2% if I just did radiation alone, 5.3% if I do radiation and AI, and 1.6% with radiation and AI.

I'm 71 and have osteopenia. MO recommends Zometa infusion every 6 months for 3 years. I'm worried about the side effects from that.

I could have accerated partial breast radiation every other day for 5 days. Very concerned about side effects of that.

I'm afraid to get radiation but also worried about not doing everything possible to reduce risk of recurrence. Can't decide if the benefit of radiation outweighs the risk given the numbers.

I've been taking Anastrazole for 7 months with no issues beyond some hot flashes initially but concerned about potential bone loss.

I have to decide on whether to do radiation or not soon and I'm really struggling.

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thseabreze | @thseabreze | Mar 6 7:58am

I don't remember the type. I did 23 regular doses of radiation, and 4 boosts. They were double doses.

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