I decided to do the surgery and chemo but not radiation. Advice?

resigned

I decided to get the mastectomy and chemo but not do radiation. My oncologist and my naturopath disagree about radiation and I'm not convinced that the benefit outweighs the risk. There are too many stories out there about radiation causing a second cancer. Has anyone else decided against radiation? 

mary625

I've never seen the stories of radiation causing other cancers.  I have read that there could be some risk to heart and lungs dependent on the location/side of the body.  I did it, but afterwards realized that there wasn't as much benefit to it as I thought there would be and only a benefit to the local area (whereas my biggest risk is for distant metastases).  It is, however, very easy compared to the chemo and surgery...but that should not really be a consideration.  I urge you to talk with a good radiation oncologist and get a sense of whether the % benefit for you makes sense.  

AmyQ

I had surgery, chemo and chose NO radiation and am very happy I did.  For one, they wanted to do my right axilla because my Sentinel Node was loaded with cancer but it was removed. Secondly, I had cancer throughout many bones so radiating one area made no sense. Third, I was worried about secondary damage/injury to my lungs and lastly a colleague of my husbands reviewed my records and guessed maybe a 2% benefit from radiation.  Even without his opinion, I just knew radiation didn't make much sense.  Good luck with your decision.

Amy

Maureen1

I decided to do surgery and chemo but no radiation. I consulted 2 radiation oncologists and both said that it would only help reduce the threat of a local recurrence by about 5% and do nothing to prevent distant recurrence. Also, it would be on the left chest wall so there was danger of heart and lung damage. I had great margins on my lumpectomy and no cancer in either breast when I had my prophylactic bilateral mastectomy after chemo so my MO supported my decision not to do rads. As others have told me on these boards…there are no guarantees and this disease is unpredictable so we can only make he best decisions we can with the information we have and don't look back…good luck in your decision (((Hugs))) Maureen 

Tomboy

good luck sweetie, and good for you. i did it because i only had a lumpectomy, and it was crawlin in my armpit too. i STILL didn't want to though, and didn't know enough to say NOOO!!! but, you had a mastectomy, so, if it does come back, you have the option of doing it then. thats one thing that bugs me about me having to do it, it is NOT an option later.

resigned

Thanks to everyone who wrote back. I hope you're all doing well! I am very unhappy because I feel like I've done a good job of putting together a team of medical professionals that serves me and the approach I want. I caved in and decided to do the chemo but only after three different naturopath and Chinese medecine doctors told me I had to do the chemo because my cancer is so widespread. Anyway it took me a while to find a surgeon I liked and an oncologist, that was the hardest. It's been over four months since my diagnosis and I'm trying to schedule my surgery now. All I hear from my family and friends is "why are you waiting so long?!!" and "why aren't you doing a double mastectomy?!?" and "why aren't you doing radiation?!?!" It's very upsetting. 

exbrnxgrl

Finding a medical team that you trust is a huge thing. I understand that your family is anxious and wants you well and their intention is not to upset. I waited for a bit more than 2 months between my dx and surgery and then almost another 2 months before starting any tx. There were many reasons for this but the biggest part was putting the right people in place, but my family was very worried by the delay. All the best.

Caryn

FlGulfCoastGirl

I just wanted to say I totally understand your hesitance to do radiation. I had chemo, double mas, and almost opted out of radiation (also on my left side). I was extremely upset about the idea of doing it, but wasn't at peace about not doing it either. I decided to do the radiation and I am almost finished. I have used coconut oil and vit E oil on my skin everyday, and have been drinking fresh carrot/veggie juice everyday to give my body lots of beta carotene and antioxidents. The only side effects have been fatigue and slightly pink skin. I have been pleasantly surprised by the lack of side effects and happy with my decision. Just wanted to share because sometimes we only hear the bad experiences with a treatment. Best of luck!