1. < Breast Cancer

Second opinions: I'm so glad I got one.

Posted by flygirl747 @flygirl747, May 4 1:59pm

I am so glad I went for a second opinion on treatment after breast cancer surgery. With low Oncotype DC and a low Ki-67 score, the oncologist said that radiation would not improve the outcome. The first opinion I was given was 5 weeks/5 days a week of radiotherapy. Always get a second opinion. I have learned to trust my gut.

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sharon44r | @sharon44r | May 4 3:58pm

I was told that if I took the hormone pill tamoxifen, I might avoid radiation. Not sure which is worse that pill or radiation.
I choose radiation, because that pill could affect my uterus, which I have had issues with.
I had 16 treatments. I was really sore afterward,ps, 4 months later , I’m feeling very tight there. Also had low score.
But I still think I made the right choice.
I had multi focal in 1 quadrant of inavasive lobular . The radiation dr told me lots of people can not tolerate those drugs and don’t stay on them.
So if you choose not to get radiation, take the meds I guess

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1 reply
tonysmom | @tonysmom | May 4 4:20pm

My numbers were low too. Went on Anastrozole, I considered all my factors and I decided against radiation before I saw the radiologist. The radiologist suggested 5 days a week for 5 weeks. I told him I decided not to do radiation. He then looked at my records again and said that seemed like a reasonable choice. Had I not said no,they would not have given me the option and would have gone ahead with it. Do your research.

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1 reply
flygirl747 | @flygirl747 | May 4 6:33pm
In reply to @tonysmom "My numbers were low too. Went on Anastrozole, I considered all my factors and I decided..." + (show)
@tonysmom

My numbers were low too. Went on Anastrozole, I considered all my factors and I decided against radiation before I saw the radiologist. The radiologist suggested 5 days a week for 5 weeks. I told him I decided not to do radiation. He then looked at my records again and said that seemed like a reasonable choice. Had I not said no,they would not have given me the option and would have gone ahead with it. Do your research.

Jump to this post

Exactly! Take charge.

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flygirl747 | @flygirl747 | May 4 6:37pm
In reply to @sharon44r "I was told that if I took the hormone pill tamoxifen, I might avoid radiation. Not..." + (show)
@sharon44r

I was told that if I took the hormone pill tamoxifen, I might avoid radiation. Not sure which is worse that pill or radiation.
I choose radiation, because that pill could affect my uterus, which I have had issues with.
I had 16 treatments. I was really sore afterward,ps, 4 months later , I’m feeling very tight there. Also had low score.
But I still think I made the right choice.
I had multi focal in 1 quadrant of inavasive lobular . The radiation dr told me lots of people can not tolerate those drugs and don’t stay on them.
So if you choose not to get radiation, take the meds I guess

Jump to this post

Some are not given this choice. I was told surgery, radiation, and an aromatase inhibitor plus bone drug. I had to say NO.

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1 reply
sharon44r | @sharon44r | May 4 10:30pm
In reply to @flygirl747 "Some are not given this choice. I was told surgery, radiation, and an aromatase inhibitor plus..." + (show)
@flygirl747

Some are not given this choice. I was told surgery, radiation, and an aromatase inhibitor plus bone drug. I had to say NO.

Jump to this post

My body couldn’t handle those drugs. I’ve been on prednisone for 3 years for PMR.
I have osteoporosis now so I cant take the best estrogen inhibitor, and tamoxifen puts estrogen in the uterus. It recommended for premenopausal women now. It would reactivate my endometriosis and possible give me uterine cancer.
It was a hard choice for me , but I wanted to do something after lumpectomy. There is also no grantantee that the meds would help me. It seems like now you might have to take them forever.?
We’ll have to hopefully make the right choices for ourselves. No one else can make them for you.
I have done a ton research too.
So what are you going to do now?
Sometimes nothing is OK

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 17 2:02pm

@flygirl747, I'm glad that a second opinion was a good choice for you.

People should not be worried about seeking a second opinion. Mayo Clinic did a study examining the clinical value of second opinions in cancer care and found that they often led to changes or reductions in treatment that reduced short- and long-term health risks for patients. Another study found that 94% of patients found a second opinion helpful, with satisfaction related to improved communication and reassurance about their diagnosis.

You can read more in this blog post.

- Tips for seeking a second opinion https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/cancer-education-center/newsfeed-post/tips-for-seeking-a-second-opinion/

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