Radiation a second time? Thoughts? Experiences?

MsMungo

Hi all, I'm on to my 4th round of a BC diagnosis across a 19 year period. Still early stage though. No lymph node involvement or mets. The last Dx resulted in surgery to the chest wall (I haven't had a left breast since 2004) again, plus chemo (TC) following a high Oncotype score. I will go back on Arimidex shortly. I have used AIs before but was advised to discontinue after 6 years. Cancer returned 18 months later. Anyhoo, I am now being strongly encouraged to have radiation to chest wall, and internal and axilla lymph nodes. I already had rads to my breast in 2001 following my first lumpectomy. I'm concerned about impact to heart, lungs etc with a second round & would appreciate hearing from anyone who has trod a similar path

Ingerp

I have a really good relationship with my MO. When I first had rads, on the left side, she looked me in the eye and said, twice, “I will not irradiate your heart.” Present your concerns and see if you trust what you’re hearing. If it were my MO, I absolutely would.

Hopeful82014

I second Ingerp's thoughts and will add that radiation these days is far more sophisticated and carefully targeted than it was even 10 years ago so the potential for damage to the heart and lungs is greatly reduced. Since my tumor was on the left side I was terribly concerned about this issue but my simulation demonstrated that my heart would be entirely out of the field of treatment. This could be the case for you as well.

A good RO will spend as much time with you as you need, answering every possible question - don't let anyone fob you off with less You'll probably find the session reassuring. Good luck.

MsMungo

Thankyou Hopeful82014 and Ingerp for your fast and thoughtful replies. I guess part of my issue is I find communication with the RO quite difficult (no direct answers generally and sometimes too direct!) and less than reassuring. She has indicated that my heart will receive about 5greys during treatment and also stated that I have a 5-15% chance of ending up with the “heart of a 75 year old smoker”. Considering I am a 55 yr old non-smoker this didn’t sound like a great outcome or odds. Sigh.