10 year Radiation Study - Larger Fractions/Shorter Ttmts

I had 19 total rads.  it was so easy--no skin problems.

Will you be having radiation?

Please keep us posted on what you decide.  Good luck.

What do you mean by "less than 25cms"? I have been offered a 3 week or 6.5 week schedule, but couldn't get the DR to give me the difference between the two. Was simply told they are the same, except for cosmetic outcomes. This is not what I have read online (which isn't always reliable) so am looking for more info to make the decision.

This is what is confusing for me. I am canadian, but currently living overseas. I consulted a candadian ONC from sunnybrook, who said I "may qualify" as in canada, she said it was mainly used for node negative small breasted women. Then I read this new UK study, which included women with 1 positive node, so that proves for low node involvement, the short course is equivalent. However, the UK data seems to suggest it is not good for women with grade 3 tumors. My best friend and another friend who both had breast cancer last year, treated in canada, were both given the 6.5 wk treatment. Perhaps because one was a high grade and the other had more than one node. But it all leaves me confused about which to choose.... Note also that the UK "3 week" treatment in the study does NOT include tumor bed boosters for lumpectomy patients. So it is really 3 weeks plus 1.5 weeks (8 days), so depending on the place it is 15-18 days plus 8 days, so not a huge difference at 23-26 days from the 32  shot treatment. Slightly better, but if you need the boosters, not a huge difference. The UK study notes they started their research before boosters were proven to be effective, so I would want the boosters. 

I haven't heard about this one week treatment. Is this only for node negative women, or does it aso apply to node positive women? I have to travel to another country for the radiation, leaving toddlers and young kids at home so would like to have shorter options. 

QueenKong, I was asked by my radiologist if I wanted the 5-day rads.  twice/day. It is called partial breast radiation and it is EXTERNAL.  Since I am HER2+, I decided not to do it.  Instead I did 19 full breast rads (which included boosts).  It was a piece of cake.  I don't understand why more people are not offered this--I am on the West Coast so maybe this has something to do with it.

Keep us posted.

Hi, I am waiting to speak with the rad onc about this. I would FAR prefer the week long or three week course, but then, would prefer even more to not do rads at all. I posted a couple of other times today with more detail, but wish I had found this topic sooner. Let us know your thinking.

In my highly inexpert opinion, grade 3 and her2 positive warrants a "throw the book at it" approach. I would go for rads if I had that assortment of features.

PinkyWI, I look forward to hearing more about this.  Thanks for posting.  (I had 19 rads total- 16 regular, 3 boosts).

Queen, it sure makes sense to me--I didn't realize your tumor was 6cm and the triple negative.  It sounds like you are getting excellent care and good for you for checking this out with 2 radiologists!

A couple of things I might suggest and that helped me...I always used Aquafor--at least twice a day.  They had baskets of it in the radiation place.  Each day, after I finished rads, I put on the aquafor.  A lot of it on my breast and underarm.  I wore a tee shirt so it absorbed the gunky stuff.  I also did not wear deoderant.  I was able to have my appointment at the same time each day which helps if they can schedule you that way.  My appointment was always about 10 am and then I was finished by 10:30.

Everyone in radiation oncology was so nice.  I actually did not mind going at all as they were always happy to see me--they even asked what music I wanted to hear.  Now I will tell you, that when I saw the big radiation machine it kind of broke my denial that I was a cancer patient.  It was heavy but I got over it in a day or two.  Also, with the arms up, etc., I was able to get with that also.  At first I had feelings about it but I'll tell you one thing--it got me over being uncomfortable with my body. 

When will you start radiation?  

You will have so much help and support here.  there is probably a radiation group on the radiation thread you might want to check out.

Good luck, I'm thinking positive, positive thoughts for you.

Lizzie

Lots of studies showing 10 history of success w shorter course radiation. I will be doing the 3 week/5 day week course...I did a great deal of research to find this. I am also doing prone radiation. My breast is large enough to hang down and so the rads will not enter my body as with supine (on back radiation). I also searched for this...I am in a larger city with a progressive large research hospital... lucky! Although, I would have traveled to find prone radiation. Hope  this helps.. What I am trying to find out is whether the side effects from shorter term rads are more severe--like fatigue, due to the higher dose, even though shorter. I start in 2 weeks. Thanks

So jealous, Newbee!  I am in armA -- the standard.  I have two more rads and then the boosts.  So far, so good except, I didn't realize how far up under the arm the rads go and was not putting my boob lube up that far, so now I am paying.  They gave me Restore to use and I think it works pretty good.  Glad I had the weekend to heal a bit.  No blisters or anything but very red.

I begin on Monday 1st of 16 treatments, here they follow the protocol from Canada. Any tips on what kind of bra is good to wear?

Thanks

Yeah I don't bother with a bra much these days either. I go to rads at 8:15 each morning, so most days I show up in a t-shirt (under a hoodie or fleece) and yoga pants -- basically my pajamas! ;-) Makes changing in and out of the hospital gown much quicker. I shower after I get home because I want to slather on lotion after showering. If I showered before going to rads I wouldn't be able to apply lotion.



Started boosts on Friday. Whole breast was finished on Thursday. Monday will be the last clav zap, then it's just boosts -- so glad to be in the home stretch! My skin is really starting to show the wear and tear. I'm using silvadene cream this weekend. My poor armpit is very tender, but fortunately it won't be treated anymore ... Hope it heals quickly!



Today I noticed the distinct square shape of the table on my back from my "tan line" near my shoulder. I will ask the doc, but in the meantime can anyone answer this -- does that area get zapped from behind (I lie face-up on the table -- my left side gets treated and my head is turned to the right, so I can't see what happens on my left) or is that the radiation zapped in my clav area traveling out through my back? If the latter, it's a little horrifying ... And where did the rads go that didn't show up where the table mark blocks the "tan"?



Hope this makes sense to those who've gone through it, and I don't mean to scare the new people.

Hi all.  I'm new to this forum, probably won't be facing radiation for another 4 months- after chemo- but I met with my radiologist yesterday and we had a very interesting and informative conversation.  He gave me three choices.  Standard six weeks, three weeks or 2x a day for 5 days.  This was at a very respected research hospital in Philadelphia.  I asked why people were still receiving 6 weeks of radiation when studies have shown that over the course of ten years the three week treatment has proven just as effective.  His answer?  Many facilities like the added revenue stream of 6 weeks vs three and also that older doctors like to stick to the tried and true. Of course, there may be reasons that particular individuals may need six weeks, but please question your radiologist closely about his/her reasoning.  Regarding 5 day radiation treatment, long term studies about effectiveness only go out 5 years at this point, although most local recurrence is within 5 years. He is quite comfortable offering me 5 day partiol breast radiation.  I have time to decide- it's either 3 weeks or 5 days for me.  Hope some of you find this interesting.

My ro said the shorter protocol would work for me because I am small framed. Had nothing to do with breast size. 16 + 4 boosts. Not too bad, just itchy where I didn't put lotion. I didn't realize the radiation was hitting my chest until too late. All healed