Just diagnosed would like input on treatment options

LorBe

I was recently diagnosed with Stage 0 DCIS and I have had the lumpectomy and the doctor got clear margins and feels all of the cancer is gone. The titanium chip that was inserted during my biopsy did not latch on and has fallen. Therefore, it was not removed with the lumpectomy so there is a slight chance that some of the cancer may have travelled with the chip. The biopsy showed that my DCIS is estrogen/progesterone positive. The lumpectomy pathology showed Atypical Epitherelial Proliferation and atypical hyperplasia - but the surgeon got it all. She suggests three weeks of radiation followed by five years of Tamoxifen. I value her opinion as this is her area of expertise, but I have a few areas of concern and wanted to get opinions of those who have been through this.

1- since radiation can only be done on an area one time and if the cancer returns to my left breast a second time then a mastectomy would need to be done. So now I am second guessing doing the radiation this time and just trusting that if the diagnostic mammography every six months picks up something else then I could do the radiation then.

2- the personal stories I have heard from people who took and could not stay on Tamoxifen because of bad side effects and also the increased risk of pulmonary embolisms and endometrial cancer makes me think the risk of harm to another area of my body as a preventative for something that may never resurface again may be too much risk.

These are the thoughts that are turning in my head now - I meet with the radiation specialist September 6th and I am sure he will help me with some of these concerns - but I thought I would bring them up here so that other ladies who have lived through this might be of some help. I would greatly appreciate it. Knowledge is power and first hand experiences can help