ACCEL Trial vs normal full breast radiation

Cher64

I am currently going through breast cancer, I was diagnosed first of August, had a lumpectomy and two lymph nodes removed in September. Just met my oncologist last week, diagnosis was good, I am Grade 1, Stage 1A, ER & PR +, HER2- He said chemo was not necessary. Radiation and hormonal therapy would increase my chances by a few percentage. So I have decided to do radiation and Tamoxifen (5 years). The Tamoxifen is only improving me by 1-2% but it seems like everyone I read about goes on it after breast cancer. As for the radiation, I fit the criteria to participate in a clinical trail where they only radiate the area where the cancer was as oppose to the whole breast for 5 treatments, Mon-Friday. ACCEL - Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation. It achieves the benefits of radiation therapy (3 1/2 weeks) but reduces side-effects and the inconvenience of going 16 times for treatment. However, knowing that they are still waiting for long term results from this new clinical trial makes me nervous. But my oncologist talked highly of it. Trying to make a decision and don't know what I should do. Just want to get it over with so I can move forward, its been such a stressful and tough few months already. Was suppose to start the Tamoxifen 2 days ago but holding off until tomorrow as I am nervous to start taking it as well. Scared about what side effects I will have to deal with. I am 52 and still haven't started menopause. This whole experience has been mentally exhausting.

Moderators

Hi Cher, and welcome to Breastcancer.org,

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Robinms

Hi Cher. I understand the difficult decisions you have to make. I was supposed to start a clinical trial for short term radiation today (either 3 or 5 days randomly assigned) and bailed out last night. I need to know more about the results of previous studies but equally important is the question of whether I am at greater risk for side effects (especially fibrosis) due to the higher dosage. I suggest you do more research about both. As for the tamoxifen, I understand that the protocol is that hormone treatment begins after radiation is complete, so you probably have more time to decide.

Cher64

Hi Robinms. I have given this a lot of thought for over a week. I researched it as well as talked to someone at the Cancer centre almost on a daily basis this week about it. The women here who had it done a year ago, show little to no side effects. As for fibrosis they weren't showing any more than someone who had the 16 treatments. I think I have decided to go ahead with the 5 treatments in one week. My main concern was that I was getting enough radiation to be effective and I was told I was by 99%. Being that my cancer was on my left side, I was concerned about my heart with the radiation, with the 5 treatments it doesn't go near the heart. I so want to get treatment over with so that I can start to heal physically and emotionally. As for the tamoxifen, my oncologist said I can start it before radiation, so I am 3 days in with that. Of course its too early to know how I adapt to that. Radiation will start in early November. Thanks for responding. Let me know what you decide.