Canadian method

shepherdess

Canadian method

shepherdess

Has anyone had the Cadaian method of radiation...16 treatments instead of 30?

I met with my rad. onc. for the first time today and asked her if they did it at Johns Hopkins. She said they could do it (and have done it in the past) and there were no downsides compared to the standard 30 treatments. When I asked her why the shorter method was not routinely offered she said she really didn't really know why not, it just hasn't become the norm. She couldn't have been more informed and cooperative so I'm going for the short course. Apparently, there is a better cosmetic outcome, as well. 

Some folks have suggested that the 30 treatment regimine guarentees a revenue stream...hmmmm.

Any comments, observations, experiences to share out there?

Many thanks,

Shepherdess 

sharonw

I too have an appt at Hopkins later this month (Zellars) - ask them also about their prone table - where you lie face down on a special table with a cutout in it and your breast gets radiated from below - this reduces risk to your ribs, lungs, nodes, etc. - they have a chief therapist there named Jeff Schultz that can tell you all about it - I am also wondering if you talked aboout partial breast vs. whole breast rads? thx-sharonw

Anonymous

Not sure what you mean...I am Canadian and had 35 rads...?

meadows4

There is a clinical study being done at the Univ. of Arkansas Medical Services in which RFA, radio frequency ablation, can be done in lieu of radiation.  In the procedure, the dr. sears a 1 cm. area around the tumor cavity so that the tissue dies and forms scar tissue, thereby preventing any stray cancer cells from getting past the scar tissue, in theory.

To avoid radiation, you have to be older than 50, have a non-lobular tumor, be hormone positive, and less than a grade 3.

The procedure is usually done at the same time as the lumpectomy but it can be done, if some circumstances, as a separate procedure after the lumpectomy.  It is a day surgery just like the lumpectomy.

SNJulie

I had the Canadian method....it was GREAT!  Not all people qualify for this method, it has to do with your size.  They measured me to make sure I was within the limits.  Had my rads done at Indiana University Med.

Good luck.  I had very little side effects ...some burning and a rash after it was over.  No problems since and it has been 8 months.

shepherdess

That is so great to hear SNJulie! Thank you. More women should ask for this and see if they qualify, otherwise it will not be offered as an option.

amel27

My understanding of this treatment is that radiation beams tend to be more pin point than whole breast, allowing it to be both stronger and shorter.  You have to meet certain criteria-tumor size, grade, as well as breast must be able to protrude below the table opening.  

amel27

My understandinf is that his radiation is pinpoint, allowing it to be both stronger with less treatments.  The criteria involves the size and grade, as well as the breast must protrude through the table.

sharonw

shepardess-

have you started rads yet?  I started the three week - 15 tx at NYU this week - am so glad I came here from DC - am also using prone table position - breast hanging down - have only done 4 tx and keep slathering on aloe and biafine waiting for the skin issues to appear - how are you doing at Hopkins - I went there too and found what yo did - not enough women asking for this accelerated treatement with equal outcomes -

sharonw

snowyday

Yes I had the 16 treatments and loved it. I burned but I healed much quicker than another women who was still having the 32 plus boosts.

I got the 16 treatments in a trial and am very glad I got in.  You can hardly see the difference in the color of the skin.  I even suntanned for 20 minutes each side  ( I know its a no no but I needed the sun on my bones)  I wore a sun screen and it didn't darken the site what so ever.  But get this I went grocery shopping two days later forgot to put sunscreen on my face and now I have a brown nose. YUCK.  I am always so careful with sunscreen and especially because of the radiation I can't believe I was so stupid.  So next month when I can afford it I am buying a big summer hat with great big brim.

If I ever have to do radiation again on the other breast I will insist on the 16 days.  I healed quicker and I recieved the same amount of greys that I would have with 33 and 8 boosts.  I used only a Clear Aloe Vera everyday at three or four times and my skin had a layer of brown skin on it, I thought it would stay but luckily it healed and I was able to exfoliate it off.  My nipple took the longest to heal it is still a bit "tough" but all in all it is the best. I hope other women try it and I wonder when the study is completed what the percentages will be up here in Canada.  Good luck everyone who is going through it now.  I'm probably forgetting some things, oh yeah the fatique hit hard but that happens with all radiation.  If anyone has questions feel free to pm me.  I hope I don't sound like a know it all.

shepherdess

sharonw,

I've got 12 tx down and 4 more to go. I'm so glad I did it this way. The only problem I had was an allergic reaction to the aloe lotion they gave me...go figure? It's resolved now and I have very littel pinkness and so far the fatigue is not too noticable. I do not lie face down, however. Perhaps it's where my tumor was...left side toward my arm pit. It's interesting how this short treatment doesn't require boosts either.

We need to pass it on to women with radiation in their future to ASK for the short course and see if they qualify. 

sharonw

sheperdhess

Check with your rad doc- the way my program is set up I am gettng a boost to the tumor area with each accelerated treatment - so that the boosts are done at the end of the 15 treatments - again this is differ)ent from the standard tx where the boosts are given at the end (when you are the most fried) - I will receive the same amount of rads (gys) as the traditional program only over 15 tx and this will include the boosts.  Ten year studies in Europe and Canada show this accelerated program as effective as the 6 and a half week program with similar cosmetic results too.  I consulted rad docs in DC, Philly, and Baltimore who were not convinced of the existing studies and I blessedly was able to find a rad doc at NYU who is conducting this trial - there are others in the US, but NYC was closest to me in DC.  I was also looking for this prone table which I qualified for and it makes so much sense to do - lying face down my breast is radiated from below (the breast hangs down via this table) sparring my ribs, lungs, and nodes - not to mention the heart if your bc is in the left.  I go home on weekends and am enjoying NYC - am a little fearful of the fatigue and skin conditons that may come along, but you sound so encouraging - I am hopeful this accelerated program will have less SEs than the other as well !  keep in touch!

ftreloar

I talked w/my rad. & he still insists on the 28+, but would be willing to do the mammosite (I just don't want something inside of me).  I'm only 54 & I want to be around another 20 years for sure.  I was told that the "standard of care" is 28+boost & has a 95% non-recurrent rate & it has been tested for 20 years.  Mammosite & 3D is only 5 years.  Now you're saying the other is 10 yrs.  This is not long enough for me!  Besides the rad. told me that with the new radiation treatment they cover up your lungs & heart & it's not as bad as years ago.  So I think I'll go with the 28+ & ruin my summer in hopes there will be many more summers to come.

CathHen1958

I had the Canadian method and was also told there was no difference with the outcome, its about the same as the regular radiation method.  My doctor did mention that I was the right size to have the Canadian method - (I'm small) and they would not be able to do it with larger women - I'm assuming she meant breast size.    I was glad I had the Canadian method because there was less burning and irritation to my skin.  My breast was tender, but I was able to deal with it without too many issues.    I still have a little tenderness, but it's not really bad it hasn't affected my day to day life.

Chaga

Hi Cath, I'm scheduled for radiation in the next couple of weeks. You posted that you had the Canadian method done any changes since your post? I'm considering the Canadian method to.

Cowgirl13

Chaga, this post is from 2008.

I had the Canadian protocol and it was terrific. My skin never burnt, no blisters. I had 16 rounds and then 3 boosts....total 19 rounds. Go for it!!

I see you are also triple positive...there is a great thread for triple positives....it titled Triple Positives.

Chaga

Thanks Cowgirl! I plan on letting the doc know I'm going for he 4 week version.

key46

I'm starting week 2 of the 16 round protocol. So far no noticeable side effects--not even rosy skin yet. Here is a study confirming it is as safe and effective as a longer course: http://newsatjama.jama.com/2013/09/20/study-confir...

Good luck with your treatment!

flannelette

I had the Canadian treatment, because i live in Canada. had no idea it was different in the US. No burning, tiredness, nothing.there was a skin colour change which slowly disappeared........you go each week every weekday, for 3 weeks, then 1 more time (I think it was 16 total, was in 2008). Each time, I was driven for free by a Canadian Cancer Society volunteer driver. Piece of cake! No cream needed, at least by me. Makes sense, as I think it's way more economical for the hospital to do 16 rounds rather than 32 or 33 as in the US method. Would cut down hugely on the amount of paperwork, office work, staff doing the radiation.

Okie9000

new research says this shorter is the new best practice,it just has not filtered down to everyone yet. As always treatment is case (tumor) driven. Brachy may be an option also.

Good luck!

queenmomcat

From someone south of the border: I'm getting the 'Canadian protocol' and glad of it. Still haven't figured out the criteria used--it isn't where you live!--but glad that U.S. oncology is finally getting around to allowing as how this might e a good idea, even in Nowheresville, Michigan.