Anyone skip radiation after lumpectomy and chemo for stage 1?

laynetx - hi, I'm not TN but I considered skipping rads too because I was terrified of the possible se's. Being into more alternative meds, I was convinced the chemo had done enough to toxify my body and I didn't want to put my body through more.  However, I was working with an ND and he suggested I give it a try and he could give me specific supplements to help my body cope with radiation.  So I did 7 weeks of rads without a hitch and had virtually no side effects.  I know you have other health concerns to deal with too, so our situations don't really compare.  But I thought it might be helpful to know that I was considering skipping it too. If you decide to go ahead you might want to ask your internist for things that will support you during rads and cut down on se's.  Good luck on your decision.

laynetex; I can only tell you my experience to add to the others.    I had chemo and rads after lumpectomy.     That was 7 yrs ago and my breast has been so irradiated that it has no sensation as a breast.      I take vicodin for yearly mammo of that breast; I cannot tell you the incredible pain I experience during the compression,  I almost passed out oncel another time I vomited from the pain.                             If I had it to do over again, I would have had mastectomy with chemo.                 the only caveat I have to offer is that I am fair-skinned, green eyed redhead who never should have been sent for radiation,    No one seems to do a screening process before the radiation. whe I finished and complained, i was told that it was natural for me to have a rubbery,excruciatingly painful deformed breast b/c of my skin color, duh?    I wish you well in your journey,

I'm in a different situation than you, and of course, everyone has different reactions to any treatment; but for me, after chemo, radiation was a piece of cake. Other than getting tired of driving to the clinic every day for 6 weeks (a two hundred mile round trip!!!), and getting a little red at the end, I had absolutely no SEs at all. Remember the reason you do radiation is to get rid of any lingering cancer cells in the area. If some are still lurking around, all the lifestyle and diet changes in the world aren't going to help, and you will be dealing with cancer again (certainly lifestyle and diet can lower the chances of reoccurence, but first you have to be sure that you've done everything you can to be cancer free from the original problem). I'd go for the knock out NOW! Best of Luck! Ruth

I am a stage 1, triple negative.  I think every case is individual and the risk factors are different for everyone.  As I have mentioned before, I did not do chemo or rads because of secondary health issues.  I am almost 18 months out now with clean scans and tests; but my oncologist has reluctantly offered that in my case the cell was such a aggressive one it would have probably roared back by now if it was still lurking about as it was growing at a phenomenal rate. 

I land on both sides of the fence here.  First the anti rad rant:  In my opinion, after reading the peer review literature, I think that rads are often over sold.  The statistics that radiologists give women for risk reduction with rads are "rubber" numbers that are not absolute but relative; the actual numbers are not as great per individual as one might think.  Further to this, for now, oddly,  my radiologist and oncologist are not reporting my case to the database because I did not have any treatment, so I will not be included in the new statistics! 

That being said, now the pro rad:  for some, the risk reduction is still significant with rads and worth it for peace of mind and specific issues inherent in the case.  Plus, if you do supportive care and take good care of your health, eat cleanly, take D3 and curcumin, you may sail through the therapy with no side effects at all!  You can always start the process and see how your body reacts--if it is too intolerable you can stop.  This was an option given to me. 

Hi Titan--I was diagnosed at almost the same time as you (early March 09).  So we are both on the same track I guess!  It's good to hear you are "issue free" too!  I almost did chemo but the secondary risks were pretty high for me and rads were delayed so long that it gave diminishing returns.  I have my good moments when I feel that the fear is abated, then it creeps back in....ugh.     

Hi Bubbalu!

I am the exact diagnosis as you! Lumpectomy clear margins, A/C and 6 positive nodes! (all my 17 were remved in axilla area) followed by 12 wks. Taxol.  Cea test last 0.5.  Now I am so shook up about to radiation! What did you decide upon after your effect to your chin and neck?  Is the place you are going to ACR accredited?? that is important.  I hope you are doing well my friend.  Hope to hear from you soon.

Hi Elayne

I had a lumpectomy w/chemo and rads. The rads were a breeze for me compared to chemo. The only side effect I had with the rads was being tired after about the 3rd week. The tiredness stayed around for quite a few months. Nothing debilitating....just lacking a bit of energy.

I am fair-skinned, green eyed & have always burned easily in the sun.I have to say that although I did get red, I wasn't burned. I did have a cream to put on several times a day. Some of the other women did burn but they said it felt just like a regular sunburn and that the cream helped.

As to bubbalu's situation....Personally I would be concerned that the machine had not been adjusted right as the ONLY area that should have any possibility of getting burned would be the site that was being radiated. Because my tumor was in an unusual place and hard to get at & not radiate something that didn't need to be, I had to go in twice for my body mold. That was the worst part of the whole thing---being fitted for that body mold. It's extremely important when being radiated that you NOT move one tiny bit once they have you situated. If you move, you throw off where the beam is going to hit. 

Being TN I would NOT encourage anyone to forgo the radiation.  Especially since you had positive nodes. I totally agree with ruthbru!  If one tiny piece had broken off your tumor and was sitting there in your breast, it's gonna come back fast! Why would you take that chance? Yeah, they can take out the tumor & have clean margins but they can't be 100% certain that a speck hadn't already broken off.  And that's all it takes...one tiny microscopic speck!

As others have already stated, you can always stop at any time, although I would not recommend it. 

Please let us know how things went if you decide to do the rads (which I sincerely hope you will!)