Right breast cancer DCIS: Is 4-5 weeks of radiation normal protocol?

Spoke with the oncologist and Radiologies oncologist this week! I’m going with 16 day radiation therapy! The oncologist made me feel better about my discussion than the radiologist. Both said radiation long term was less likely than years prior. Radiologist suggested 42.56 gy/16 fractures which he said that equals about 2.56 gy daily?? I believe he said 1.8 for 16 days and 2.5 for 4 days on our first visit so I’m still nervous about the whole thing. But unsure what to think about it. I don’t know how to compare the differences with gy. Or was he just giving me estimates the first day and not facts? Not sure if maybe I’m being to paranoid about the whole situation?

It’s not paranoid, if you are concerned about adding radiation to your body. You have a right to have all the information, I am glad you went back and had a conversation about this.
What I would say to my very best friend if you were she is this; there is no perfect now that breast cancer is involved, there is only best possible. 💕perfect would be no worry, no treatment, no thinking about recurrence, but that isn’t an option anymore. I believe you are making the best choice possible for YOU.
It is also natural to be a little fearful of things you know nothing about. I can’t make that go away but I might be able to make it better. In the last 4 years I have driven 3 family to radiation treatments. One was 20 treatments, one was 8 treatment and one was 28 treatments. Not one of them had any major side effects. Two were lung and one was prostrate. I had breast cancer so long ago comparing mine to yours would like comparing apples and dragonfruit 😂. The most common side effect I see is fatigue, that was the worst of it for me as well. Plan ahead with meals, and other chores so that you can rest.
When are you having your setup session?

Had my set up appointment yesterday after I spoke with my doctor. I start Monday for the first treatment. I fight fatigue regularly and have a wonderful husband who doesn’t care if the house is a mess and is willing to help with supper when possible. Someone else posted their radiation specs and if I did the math correctly it’s the same dosage, so I’m feeling a little less anxious!

Simba2022, thank you for posting your specs on your radiation, I was able to do the math for comparison and basically the dosage comes out the same for us this as really made me feel a little better about the whole process! 🥰🙏

I have left breast DCIS. Had an excisional biopsy done, but it didn't have a good margin on one side of it. I go back in 2 weeks for a second surgery. Going to be meeting with radiology and medical oncologists. Radiation will follow for 5-10 minutes 5days a week for 4-6 weeks. Then medication for however many years after. Nervous about the radiation and wondering what the side effects will be. I wish you all the best.

You are definitely in the right place here, if you back up and read this thread. That 5-10 minutes is a funny thing. The actual radiation takes about 1 minute. It literally took me longer to get undressed and dressed again than to get the radiation. Overwhelmingly the biggest side effect I have seen is fatigue.
I know you have been at this thing for a while, I am glad you are finally being able to move forward with a plan.
How are you feeling now?

I had IDC in the right breast, but my radiation treatment was also 5 days a week for around 5 weeks. I have an olive complexion and tan easily. The first 4 weeks of radiation were uncomfortable, but didn't really bother me that much. There was no pain, and nothing wrong with my skin other than it was warm. The last week was very unpleasant. I am not trying to scare you, and you may very well have a different outcome, but I had painful blistering on the nipple. It took about two weeks to heal and it was agonizing. I thought maybe I had an infection because the first 4 weeks were fine. It's been a year now and it's like nothing ever happened other than my sentinel lymph node scar is dark colored. Don't be afraid. You will meet with a nurse regularly throughout the course of your treatment and they will be able to address any concerns. The nurse will prepare you for the treatments and instruct you on how to care for your skin. We also had one day designated as "Doctor Day" where all patients were seen by the doctor. It will be okay!

thank you so much!! I have been rather "skitzo" with wondering how that would go. I want to keep working as much as I can, so have been concerned about that. I have lots of support with family and my work family. I appreciate your response so much!

Thanks for your response. I am feeling ok. My family and work family have been so supportive. I was blindsided at first, but am becoming more settled that this is my life right now. One foot in front of the other! I want to work as much as I can during this, so I am sure fatigue will determine that. I will go back and read this whole thread like you suggested. Thanks so much!!

I'm getting ready to have my simulation planning session on Monday for my radiation. TNBC BRCA2+ and had bilateral this past Nov (2022). Small spot detected in 1 lymph node pathology so it was decided radiation would be wise. I was told it would be either 1 week (a high dosage) or 3 weeks (lower dosage) but that would be determined after simulation planning analysis was complete. I weathered chemo really well so I'm hoping I do the same with radiation. I too want to continue to work - fortunately I still work from home and my boss is very understanding as I keep him abreast of how my treatment is going and how I'm feeling and when I need to take time off for appointments. I'm nervous about radiation and the side effects short and long term. Reading all these threads about everyone's experience has been very helpful.

Thank you everyone for your experience - I know mine will be unique to me; but it's good to hear from many that they weathered the process well - even if in the short term there was an issue that was eventually resolved. Again thank you.