DCIS Lumpectomy radiation and tamoxafin

chris542014

Hi,
I was diagnosed with DCIS BC with clear margins when I was 40. I had a lumpectomy radiation. Everything seemed to go as planned and I tolerated it well. At 42 I had a baby and then 6 months later was told to take tamaxafin for 5 years which I did. I have been cancer free for 14 years, however 4 years ago I was experiencing terrible pain in the center of my breast bone. After several endoscopies I was told I has esphogatis which hit me out of no where. Still having pain in the chest area I was just diagnosed with barretts esophagus and I am devastated. I have been reading articles that the radiation I received the after effects can cause esophageal issues later and could turn into cancer. Luckily right now I am being monitored, on previced 30 mg every day and zantac 300 every night but still have pain. Thinking back now, I would have taken the option to remove both breasts and not do the radiation. But because I did the radiation I am suffering now because of it. Has anyone have a similar situation to me who went on to develop barretts esophagus post breast radiation?

Jelson

Hi Chris, I am so sorry you are suffering. Although I didn't have barrett's, I was diagnosed with "silent reflux", my symptoms were a sore throat, hoarseness and the feeling that I had a lump in my throat. I went into the ENT assuming the worst, since my father in law was dying from throat cancer at the time...the doctor put me on what might have been the generic for zantac and also recommended that I follow the diet suggestions in Dr. Jamie Koufman's book. Dropping Acid.Her theory is that the explosion in acid reflux, gerd, silent reflux, barrett's and esopgheal cancer is due to our diet, the additives and our food choices and by modifying our diet, we can heal our damaged esophagus.Of course my case was very mild and caught early - in addition to identifying the acidic foods that seriously disagreed with me ( seltzer, mangoes, fresh pineapples and strawberries) I realized that I was breathing incorrectly when I exercised, breathing in on exertion instead of out. with these corrections I have been fine and no longer take medication. I encourage you to read the book if you haven't done so already. it isn't quack stuff, it is quite sensible. I would like to gently point out that you are making a huge leap when you say that your esophageal issues are caused by your radiation for DCIS. A huge percentage of the population suffers from acid reflux issues, and the vast majority have not had radiation. I fall into this trap too, it is easy. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer 4 1/2 years into my 5 year tamoxifen regimen. Yes, tamoxifen has been associated with endometrial cancer, but I also am overweight, have high blood pressure, didn't give birth - other risk factors for endometrial cancer, so who is to say what caused mine. I do tell people that it was caused by the tamoxifen, I love the irony of it, but in my heart I know that it isn't necessarily true.

Don't beat yourself up because you chose a lumpectomy and radiation for DCIS, it might very well be totally unrelated.

Ariom

Hi Chris, I don't have Barretts either, but I was Dx with DCIS in 2012. I have a problem with reflux and a hiatus hernia. I have been on steroids for many years, along with other drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis which have caused untold damage to my digestive system. I opted for a UMx and no rads, if I could avoid them, because I also have asthma, which can be partially due to the GERD and I didn't want to risk having any more issues, possibly caused by radiation. I decided against Tamox too, due to having a pre cancerous uterus back in the 70's and the pros really didn't outweigh the cons for me.

The only reason I tell you about all this, is just to reiterate what Jelson says, about how common these gastric complaints are, whether you have rads, or not.

You made the right decision for you, at the time and as Jelson said, don't beat yourself up, there is every possibility you could have still had these issues, even if you had gone the BMX route, without rads.

I wish you all the very best!