Mom diagnosed and also has pacemaker

amber2012

My Mom, who is 74, recently had surgery to remove a tumour from her left breast. Just received the path results: the tumour was 1.7 cms (smaller than they had previously thought), stage 1, lymph nodes and margins clear, HER-2 neg, estrogen and progesterone positive, Grade 3, no lymphatic invasion.

We are waiting for first appointment with oncologist. The surgeon said she will probably need chemo because of the Grade 3. My mom also has a pacemaker and she said this would probably have to be "flipped to the other side" before radiation.

Anybody had a similar diagnosis and is doing well many years later, or knows about someone who went for radiation with a pacemaker?

bently123

I am just going through the same thing as your mom. Ever since my diagnosis in November I am bombarding doctors with "what about my pacer". My surgeon did not even think that I need a mastectomy so we did lumpectomy in January. After seeing the oncologist in April I found out that I cannot have radiation unless we would move the pacer to the other (right side). This is a very complicated and invasive OP. My cardiologist did not want me to do this one as we just had a lead replacement done in 2009 and it was very difficult. They cannot just flip the wires but have to surgical remove them. So now I choose to have double mastectomy instead. I also would like you to know about a test which can be done to determine if your mom will benefit from chemo which I had done. I live in British Columbia and had to pay for it myselt $4,100.00 but it was money spent well. My cancer would not have benefited from the chemo. The test is called Oncotype DX. If you have the funds or extra insurance talk to your doctor. This test is well accepted in Europe and the US. Ontario and Manitoba even pay for it through medical plan. Hope this will help you.