Shorter Radiation Protocol

Susiecupcake

Hello LizzieK!

I tried to read all the info I could find regarding every aspect of breast cancer and it's treatment.  I beat myself up on trying to make "the right decision!"  Then, I realized...there really isn't a "one size fits all" treatment program for breast cancer.  Every doctor, every cancer center, every nurse, every state, and every country has an opinion.  On top of that, every patient isn't the same...some are young...old...and in many cases have other medical issue going on. Once you meet with your MO and RO, next month, your questions will be answered.  As the plan falls into place, don't dwell or doubt your decision.  Go with it and move in a positive, forward manner.

I'm 61 years old and live 150 miles round trip from a cancer center.  I finished the 16 treatment course a month ago.   I had no problems.  They told me I might have fatigue towards the end, but I wasn't any more tired than when I started.  I had no problems with my skin.  I put Aquaphor on my whole breast every morning after my shower, and every night before going to bed, (I slept in a soft sports bra)  and sometimes after the radiation treatment.  After the treatments, my RO told me to keep using the Aquaphor for a month.  I noticed a very slight change in the color of my skin that had been radiated, but within 2 weeks, everything went back to normal.  I never missed a day of work throughout the treatments. 

Wishing you the best in 2014!    

           

wyo

Hi 

I also had the 16 treatment protocol.  Completed day before Thanksgiving.  I was told it was the "canadian protocol" by the RO.  Have my follow-up appointment on Thursday. I had very little skin issues at all, an itchy rash that started last day and hung on about 2-3 weeks.  The shorter course appealed to me as did the treatment plan and angles which minimized radiation to heart/lung. 

My team has been very specific every step of the way on what things have benefit versus chemo which would have limited/no benefit- that said everyone from the surgeon to the medical oncologist feel surgery was the source control and the rest is icing on the cake.  I guess I am not as sure given what I see on these boards with new primary and recurrence episodes.  Regardless I am very happy with my treatment, the information I was given and now on Tamoxifen as I am not menopausal- time will tell

kwing514

You were very fortunate indeed.

LizzieK

Hi Ladies,

Thanks for the feedback.  I got my OncoType score and it was 17 so no chemo for me.  Looking forward to meeting with the doctors next week, deciding on a radiation schedule (lots of option for me at Massachusetts General from partial breast one week(twice a day) or two weeks; or whole breast 4 or 6 weeks.  My preference is shorter the better unless the side effects are worse with the shorter schedule.  I went through 7 and a half weeks of radiation treatment (35 treatments) two and a half years ago for laryngeal cancer.  I don't want to give up that much of my life this time; although I did make a number of cancer buddies who had the same schedule as me. 

wyo

Glad that you have a "no chemo" scenario Lizzie

ritagz

I happen to be going to the same doctor at NYU with similar personal information. I am 61, in excellent health otherwise.

  I did consult  other doctors in my area (new Jersey) that either never heard of this or felt the 1 (and even the 3) week was still too experimental, even though NYU has just finished their 5 year study and UK and another European country have 10 year studies on them.

I am part of a new study which is a 1 week protocol. 5 days once a day - 6 grays per session

Total grays based on the report is 30, which is less than most.  In order to be eligible you must be post menopausal  with tumore no greater and 1", clean margins, and clean nodes.  I also had a low proliferation rate of  2 - so I am an ideal candidate.   this is the primary reason I went to this doctor.  She is pioneering this and I hope with success.

I personally feel this protocol is the best option for me - I was against radiation in general for many reasons - other organ involvement when not in the prone position, and generally feeling that 6 weeks of blasting a tumor that was 1/2" and is now gone, sounds like blasting a roach with dynamite.  Sounded like overkill. 

there are enough studies that really don't completely agree that the best  "recommended and standard" protocol is 6 weeks, and I personally don't think that 1 price treatment should fit all either.  Statistics are very fluid, and they are often based on different and specific statistics, not necessarily always taking into account, size, age, histology, family history etc.

I decided that because this is only 1 week, I would do it, even if it is just so that later generations have these studies to compare to . I would have been one of those women that would have had the lumpectomy when it was still in study stage as well. 

My treatment starts in another week and I am hoping the fatigue and burns wont' be too bad, though I was told they may happen after I finish, just because of the shortness of the protocol.. 

curious if there are other people that have been part of this kind of 1 week study

LizzieK

Check my posts on 1 week protocol and Winter Rads. I am scheduled for the one week treatment at Mass General starting on Feb 19th.  All us one week ladies should consolidate our experiences on one board.

LizzieK

I just started a new topic called One Week Rads Group for everyone doing this protocol to share.  Please join that topic and share your experiences.

Miminiemi

Hello ladies.  I was very interested in all the discussion.  I live in Iowa USA and my RO discussed both 16 and 33 treatments.  He seemed to feel either was ok for me, but 16 could have somewhat less positive cosmetic results.  I'm 66 and a widow so shorter sounded fine with me.  I don't think he w as talking about skin problems during treatment, but more overall appearance when done.  I'll keep watching this strand.  

Cowgirl13

Mimi, I had 16 regulars rads and 3 boosts.  19 was so doable.  I didn't have any skin problems at all but then I slathered myself twice a day Aquaphor.

Miminiemi

Thanks Cowgirl.  I'm done with 7 of 16 and doing ok.  Using that aquafor and aloe.

Cowgirl13

Mimi, glad to hear it is going well!