DCIS lumpectomy without radiation?
Comments
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Hi needtono,
Glad you found my site helpful. You are far ahead of most women in doing research prior to biopsy. The problem is nobody really knows what those calcs are until biopsied. I went into it all very ignorant. I trusted in the doctors and the system and had 2 biopsies (1 core needle then surgical) without blinking. I put the brakes on when I was told my options were partial mast with radiation or mastectomy. Once I began to investigate, detox and totally revamp my diet as well as get counseling from my wise friend, healer and nutritionist, the fear diminshed. Every woman's approach to DCIS is very personal. It becomes a journey which we are led by our personal circumstances and that which we resonate with at each step of the way. I hope you continue to listen to your inner wisdom and keep investigating. Nobody has the right answer for you...and especially not any one doctor! Please keep me posted on your situation and what you decide. And feel free to contact me personally. You may want to watch this video which redsox posted. I just started to watch it, but I think it gives many perspectives on the "State of the Science" for DCIS -- at least from 2009. Peace, health and blessings, Donna
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Beesie,
thanks for all the info.... My Birads score was never broken into cats 4A, B, C, etc. I don't know how often that is actually done in radiology reports. My impression is that most radiologists do not get into that fine-tuned an evaluation when they rate. They put a BIRAD4 on it and recommend biopsy and the patient moves onto the conveyor belt of medicine and that's that. Even if they personally thought it was a 4A, they didn't say so in writing.
I tend to agree with you that the radiology report in my case did sound somewhat borderline which may indeed be why my doctor agreed to do a six month followup rather than the recommended biopsy. Sometimes we have to "read between the lines" in these reports with a careful eye! The radiology report also said, "worriesome for malignancy" which in my opinion seemed to be an effort to perhaps pump up the report or maybe frighten me into doing the biopsy. The fright factor didn't work on me because I felt confident in my personal research into this matter. And obviously, my doctor recognized that I'd done my homework, so it was a bit more difficult in my case to fright me into the biopsy. And for any patients reading this who may feel they also are in a "borderline" situation, it may pay off to demonstrate your knowledge directly to your doctor, and get a six month watchful waiting decision rather than a cut and dried biopsy recommendation without questioning it.
As I said, I suspect that the only way they will continue to agree to six month intervals is with a mammogram evey six months which I do not want to do. I feel I'm in a no win situation in a sense. I want to go back to yearly and monitor that way because I feel it's an absolutely reasonable decision given the findings.
Regarding the fact that the 6 month f/u didn't know show any new changes.....yes, that was a good thing. However, I'm aware that it doesn't really have that much diagnostic value. Some, but not huge. Unless it were a swift growing lesion or there was something else going on aggressively in the breast, if it's the typical slow DCIS, it WON'T show any change in 6 months. The radiologist is most likely quite aware of that. From what I understand, if it is classic DCIS, it could go along for 3-5 yrs or more and perhaps not show a change. I did the 6 month to basically make a point, and also to make the "medical legal" establishment happy and "CYA". I didn't do it because I thought this small group of calcs was going to explode into an invasive cancer or show any sort of change. I made a very educated guess that it wouldn't show anything. And it didn't. Yes, I'm please about that and I think it lends credence to my approach given the facts of my case and radiology findings. But they aren't changing the BIRAD score nor are they changing the biopsy recommendation. I would have to wonder how many 6 month f/ups I would have to endure before they would change the recommendation. I'm sure they do not like patients such as me, because my actions are challenging them, I don't view it that way, but they will have a hard time backing off a biopsy recommendation because ultimately I suppose they think it reflects on their diagnostic abilities. The whole issue of BIRAD scoring in my opinion needs to be updated or changed due to higher and higher numbers of tiny lesions being found in screening mammograms, a percentage of which I believe could indeed be safely watched rather than biopsied. But when they slap on a BIRAD4, there's usually not a lot of room for objection unless a patient like me comes in and lays it on the line. Again, much of this is all about the legalities and not the medicine, and patients like me who perhaps are somewhat "borderline" are really getting put through stuff they shouldn't be.
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hi dp4peace,
I certainly will keep you posted and updated. Yes, it's all about educating ourselves and asking questions, which is a pity because we as the vulnerable patients shouldn't be doing the work of the doctors. But unfortunately it boils down to that and i'm sorry that you have gone through so much with your situation. I never would have dreamed before all this happened that I would become as informed about breast cancer and specifically DCIS as I have....all without a diganosis or biopsy. But one of the most important things I've learned is that the education has to happen BEFORE diagnosis, because once a diagnosis comes down, it's too late to play catch up when so many things are coming at you at lightning speed. So, I've had to approach this AS IF I have a small pre-cancer and fully understand what the current mode of treatment is and what my options might be so if/when I do have a biopsy, I can be fully prepared. It's horrible to have to prepare for a"what if" to this extent but otherwise, there's too much vulnerabliity to bad choices and wrong/unnecessary treatments. While I have never been a big proponent of alternative medicine), I certainly support and am open to proven findings that stand up. I'm a rather fact based person.....that's precisely why I have questioned much of what goes on with DCIS treatment. Lack of facts and medical evidence, and that occurs on both sides of the medical world - mainstream and alternative. I'm a "show me" kind of person. Many times unfortunately, neither side can really prove anything. Medicine is often a stab in the dark. That's why I just have to go along as I am, doing what I feel is best for me using whatever tools are available. These forums, your site, the internet, and medical researchers, they are ALL great tools and resources. So, I delve into all of it and take from it what makes sense for me given my particualr case and findings. Again, thanks so much for starting your site and being another voice in the debate. Without those out in front bringing other voices to the table, it becomes a very one-sided situation and that's harmful. I wish you all the best with your health and I know you will do all possible to continue on the path that's right for you.
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Redsox,
I realize that medicine is slow to change and that in five years we may be no closer to altering the way small, early or suspected DCIS lesions are handled. Based on the known harms of radiation that we already know about,that are not unknowns but well documented, I would hope many cases of DCIS in five year's time will NOT be subjected to radiation anymore. Things do change, and sometimes they change faster than you would imagine if the right resources are brought to bear on it. I think a lot of the change may have to come from the bottom up, rather than the top down. In other words, patients like me who feel they are in the firing line for overtreatment/overdiagnosis/overscreening may need to be the frontline people who step up and say, "NO". I did. I said "no" to the biopsy and even somewhat against my better instincts agreed to a six month follow up ( which showed no changes in the calcs).. So, sometimes change comes from an avalanche of patient protest. But that's a rough scenario because patients are scared, vulnerable and rightfully so, horribly worried. The gene testing does look promising and it would be great in 5 years if it were a useful tool to weed out high risk from low risk to avoid further harm to patients who don't even require biopsy. I find it quite intructional to look at other countries vs. the US and observe their outcomes and approaches. It's a big subject and I've only just touched the surface, but it seems that the UK with their biannual mammograms vs. US yearly testing approach has just as good an outcome or overall mortality rates. I don't want to take this thread too far off topic, so will leave it at that. But since getting into this microcalc situation, I've really had to examine the entire concept of screening and am reaching some very different conclusions than I ever thought I would reach. I'm no longer a fan of mammography, period. Never thought I would say that, but I am. So, this goes far beyond gene testing and high risk and low risk and all the other minute factors and hair-splitting. It gets into what Dr. Esserman has said, "should we be looking for microcalcs at all?" Is this something we should even be hunting for? That's the bottom line for me. Lumpectomy for microcalcs? Radiation for DCIS? In my mind, a great deal of it is overkill and unnecessary. I think we've gone as far as we can go with screening in this country and now it's time to back it up, re-assess and take a long, honest look at who we may be harming and who is actually, really benefitting, not just who we "think" is benefitting. That doesn't mean I don't hope we make progress on the genetic level, but I wonder if it will simply add another fear factor layer onto women, maybe causing some women to get radical treatments based on their "genetic profile", such as we see with BCRA gene testing. I find that worriesome and potentially another layer of problems to make the confusing DCIS diagnosis and treatment scenario even worse than it already is (i.e. more overtreatment, overscreening, overmanagement, OVER everything). For now, I'm going to continue saying "no" to biopsy until I see valid evidence and proof that it's necessary. So far, I haven't seen it with an unchanged 9mm small grouping of microcalcs.
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Need to NO --
All medical procedures whether imaging tests, biopsies, treatment, etc., require informed consent from the patient. That is part of why the rest of us here have worked hard to educate ourselves, so that we can make decisions for ourselves with truly informed consent.
If you want to refuse mammograms, biopsies, treatment, that is your right. Doctors may urge a path that they think is best for you but you can refuse whatever you want to refuse.
The rest of us will also make our informed choices and they are likely to differ from yours. That is our right.
Do I wish I had not had diagnostic procedures and been diagnosed with DCIS when I was? No, I am very glad I caught it early when my options were still many and treatment could be limited.
Do I regret my treatment choices of lumpectomy, radiation therapy, and tamoxifen? No, those were thoroughly informed choices and the best for my situation and preferences.
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I was diagnosed July 2010 ( my fortieth bday). I had a lumpectomy, about 1/3 of my right breast was taken. I am on tamoxifen but have not had radiation. I will tell you I have to wonder if that was the rightway to go because every 6 months I have had a questionable mammo followed by an MRI. In fact my latest mammo was questionable and have an MRI booked for Sept due to another"thickening". I have not had peace of mind in 2 years. Had I known I would have talked to my Onc about options.
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My heart goes out to every single woman on this path. It is not easy no matter what! Thanks for your reply needtono! I have had a very strong support system on the "alternative" side of the DCIS issue -- one in which I am sure most women do not have. That's why I am so strong in sharing my choices and offering support and resources. I am grateful for the amazing amount of information, that for me, trumped the scary statistics. I too have an area of calcifications in another area of my breast that were described as "indefinite." I am choosing to not biopsy these calcs at this time. I am also choosing not to have mammograms. I will continue with annual RODEO MRIs. I am not advocating that anyone else follow my lead. I'm just putting it out there that this is MY decision based on my research, my personal situation and my personal beliefs. With everything that I have learned, I have become a person who believes more and more in the "alternative/complementary" path. Not everyone is comfortable with this and if they only go by statistics and worry about "what if...." I believe they are better off doing the most aggressive treatment. It is so very personal. Two women with the exact diagnosis may make totally opposite decisions. Neither is wrong. Both are right. Neither can fully empathize with the other. It is an on-going journey and I wish everyone peace and abundant health. ~ Donna
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I'd previously written on this thread and wondered what the original poster had decided and see that she underwent rad treatments. Wishing her and everyone here good health and happiness.
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I have stage one breast cancer. My intuition says do not have radiation...or any aditional medications.... I am allready on 3 blood pressrue meds... and I am someone that does not even like to take an aspirin for a headache. I am 62 and have a 16 year old daughter. I do not want to face the possible ramifications of what radiation might do.... I feel that it is very evasive and I just do not feel okay about it. I am more into quality of life rather than quantity
I am researching and questioning alternative medicine approaches... I know my doctor will not agree...but it is my body. I am interested in connecting with anyone else that has made this choice . I would like to know how things have worked out.. I know someone that made this choice 19 years ago and is doing well..she did have 4 reoccurences... ( a little scarey) but she is fine..and happy about her descion.
I have not had the lumpetomy yet...it is schedualed for this month. ....but I am researching like crazy... It is amazing how one bounces back between ...". haven't I had enough hardships in my life' and complete anger... I have not shed a tear... I figure whatever I can imagine .... will never be what actually happens...so I should not worry... I do...but I keep coming back to day by day... I will be happy when the lump is gone.... then I will have to add some suppliments.... it will take a lot for me to give over to the radiation thing....
I dislike that I got all these little fancy ass books on cancer and little pink bow things.... I just do not want to join the bandwagon....
I am an art brained person.... that wonders what lessons I am to learn from all this ..it is a journey..
I would dearly love some feedback... sincerly, Doreen...
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Doreen,
You can have the lumpectomy and get good clear margins and skip rads and hormones therapy (if you were a candidate). When you have followup mamm or MRI in six months and anything shows up you can then b3 more aggressive. I am faced with the same desicion right now. I am having a reexcision to get better margins. Doc wants me to do rads and ht and I probably won't. It all depends on the new area they are doing a biopsy on. If something is there that shouldn't be I will have it removed..... -
My diagnosis was DCIS <1 cm, 1cm margins, Grade 2, negative lymph nodes. I've decided no rads due to the mixed study results. My surgeon said the studies show rads is better, but that's not what I've found. One of the biggest issues is that most studies did not separate grade and size of DCIS. The biggest issue is that some studies indicate greater recurrence with rads. But I have decided to forge my own personal study; if a mammogram is negative after one year, I'll wait another six months to a year (maybe longer) and have the area reexcised a few millimeters around the original lumpectomy and have it tested by pathology; that will also allow the surgeon to add a little fat since I think my surgeon was a little zealous during the lumpectomy. On that note, I'm much happier to have at least 1 cm of clear margins because studies are definitive that large margins make the most difference in recurrence rates. Somehow, DCIS communicates with surrounding normal tissue and flips it into DCIS. On another note, my surgeon initially talked me into getting localized rads and implanted the SAVI device. It costs - hold on now - $5000! That's just for the sterile plastic. I'm hoping my insurance company will at least be happy that I'm not going ahead with rads which costs thousands beyond that. I know there are different brachytherapy models and my personal opinion is that the SAVI was poorly designed. It actually has a hard plastic point on the end! feeling as though a writing pen had been pushed through my breast and is constantly poking on the skin on the opposite side. When I move or there is a little pressure on the breast, it stabs me even more. The surgeon said the device would conform to the excised area, but my lumpectomy was at least 2 cm square and the device goes all-the-way across the breast - a one size fits all potential excision locations. Sorry, but I expect standard of care to allow for various sized breasts and lumpectomy locations. I'm a C cup and cannot imagine anyone but a D cup comfortably wearing this device. As I write, the expanded part is very tight againt the skin and tissue of my upper breast - I can almost knock on it with my knuckles because it's made of firm plastic ribs. The expanded ribbed bubble is at least 4 cm across, which doesn't seem to "conform" that well. Let me add, the initial device (an inexpensive holder implanted during surgery) consisted of a hard piece of plastic that stuck out under my arm by about four inches. Mine had to be angled that way due to the location of the DCIS. I asked the surgeon why it was designed in such a bizzare way and she said something about the plastic helping to keep it still. Unfortunately, having a four inch piece of hard plastic sticking out where my arm goes constantly gets knocked into, gets caught on clothes and constantly gets banged around, each time causing a sharp jabbing pain. So if you decide to get brachytherapy, please review all models before making a decision. Your surgeon my favor one device due to personal preference or to participation in a study. You need to know if the latter is the case. Have to say another reason for skipping rads is that I cannot take another week wearing this device.
Anything you decide, please do extensive research before making that final decision. Good luck!
UPDATE (see my update below - didn't know I could have edited this post).
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Oh boy, Moonshot, I'm in the middle of trying to decide what to do! I've done all that research too and just can't decide. I'm sending my slides to Dr Lagios after I see the RO next week and I hope he will give me an objective opinion. I can't stand thinking about this every day, all day.. if they could guarantee that rad will provide me with 0 % chance of recurrance, I might go for it. but they can't.
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Bobbin, your comment about maybe going with rads if they could guarantee you a 0% change of recurrence has me thinking.... Of course it's never possible to get our recurrence risk down to 0%, no matter what we do. So maybe this question to yourself will help you decide:
- Would you be more upset if you have a recurrence and you didn't have rads, or if you have a recurrence and you did have rads?
I asked myself a similar question when I was making my decision about Tamoxifen. I knew deep down that the situation that would upset me more would be if I was diagnosed again with BC despite taking Tamoxifen. In that situation, I'd think "you mean I went through whatever side effects I had and I put other aspects of my health at risk, and yet I ended up with a diagnosis of BC anyway?". But if I was diagnosed with BC again but hadn't taken Tamoxifen, I would be comfortable knowing that Tamox. would only have reduced my risk by about 45% so the odds were that I would have been diagnosed anyway, even if I had taken Tamox. That's how my mind works and knowing that really helped me with my decision. Of course others look at it differently. Some would be more upset if they had a recurrence or developed a new BC and they hadn't done everything they could to avoid it. And if they did everything they could and still had the recurrence or developed the new BC, they would take comfort in knowing they'd done all they could. How would you feel in each situation?
The other question is whether, if you develop a recurrence, you would immediately know that you want to have a mastectomy this time. Or would you prefer to try to have another lumpectomy? If you would prefer a lumpectomy if you are ever diagnosed again, that's less of an option once you've had rads (since you can't have rads twice). Something else to consider....
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Bessie, I've thought those exact thoughts. I'd kick myself if I didn't have rads and had a recurrance , but if I took rads, and still had a recurrance, I'd have to find someone else to kick! Ya, I'd be more upset at the latter, than the former for sure! That way I know it was my choice NOT to have rads. Thanks for putting it in perspective. Yes, and the fact that we can only radiate the breast once, bothers me too. Recurrance then equals MX! I'd like to have rads in my back pocket. BUT, studies say that if you have a recurrance without rads, 1/2 are invasive and 1/2 are DCIS. One of my daughters hockey mates mom, just had reconstruction surgery for a MX that was done May 2011. She told me today she's so glad she went that route rather than have rads and tamox. Although, her DCIS was more than 6 cm and she had small breasts. They took 1/2 her breast. I'll see the RO this Wed, get my slides and send them off to Dr. Lagios.
thanks Bessie!
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Update: It turns out the SAVI device does come in different sizes. I was provided an inexplicable large size for the amount of DCIS discovered and the location. It is not inside a balloon, so the ribs are right against the breast tissue - that's why it felt like wearing an underwire bra from the inside out. When the SAVI is collapsed for removal, it pinches tiny bits of stringy tissue into the ends (they tried to not let me see that), so causes a degree of pain (though not that bad) when removed (yes, it pulls those bits of tissue out with it). But I was thrilled to have it removed! I'm putting online an idea for a new style of device that will hopefully be better than anything currently out there. It will be placed on Wikipothesis.com (the Jump Product link) as a public domain design. That site will work because it allows anyone else to modify the design and keep it in the public domain (if preferred). If it's a good design and is manufactured, it should also greatly reduce the price and help keep down our healthcare costs. I hope to have it posted by December. If you want to add your opinion or know anyone who loves such "engineering," please let them know how to contribute.
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I am recovering from a BMX (Nov.1) and had DCIS in left breast and right breast was clear, but opted for a PMX. My question for you ladies is- Should I do radiation on my left breast? Originally, I was told that since I opted for BMX, I would not need any radiation. So I am in the middle of the TE procedures and had my first fill. Now that surgery is over, the BS said that he could only get a clear margin of .5 next to the skin. He said the board meet and decided I should have radiation. I'm a little distraught about this and will meet with the RO next week. This will probably affect my TE (will probably loose it) and I don't know if this is really the right approach. I am doing some research myself, but my thinking is if it's the skin we are concerned with (there can't be much breast tissue) couldn't we keep an eye on the skin and take necessary measures for the skin without radiation?
Just wanted some other opinions on this??
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kelm02013 - That's a tough call. If I were in your place, think I'd try to find a very good oncologist and discuss the results. You may want to research skin sparing mastectomy sites to try to find stats on the rate of recurrence. I know you didn't have a skin sparing mastectomy, by the sites should give you some idea how often cancer reoccurs if only the skin is present (and it's that skin that your RO has an issue with). I remember glancing at a few site a few weeks ago and it seemed that the recurrence was very low (but research it yourself).
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Thanks for your insight. I go Friday to the RO for a consult and I wanted to look at some research before I go. I will look at some sites!
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I was warned by my breast surgeon that if margins were not at an acceptable level, I would need radiation. I guess I would look at what grade I had, hormone status, and size of cancer removed. 6 cm is a lot of cancer, and you are grade 3, which is the most aggressive form of DCIS. I would talk to your radiation oncologist and let the information guide you.
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Hi
I wondered if you had got any further with your research into recurrence and could you explain to me what P means? I too have read a report, dating from a conference in May 2011 which seems to suggest that non-recurrence rate 12% higher when lumpectomy is followed by radiotherapy but that if there is recurrence the risk of cancer being invasive (usually not in the same place) is 50% with radiotherapy and 38% lumpectomy only. I had wide local excision, DCIS of high and intermediate grade- total tumor size 16 mm;no invasion or microinvasion with the closest margins being posterior 1.8mm lateral 4mm and all other margins clear by more than 5.0mm.
I am 52 post menopausal and a smoker so am worried about rads effect on heart and lungs.
Can you or anyone help, give an opinion or advice...anything really. -
About a year ago, I was on these boards constantly. A core biopsy on March 15, 2012, showed I had Stage 0, grade 1, 9mm breast cancer. Not knowing anything, I was going along with what the doctors said.
After a lumpectomy, I was scheduled for mammosite partial breast internal radiation. However, it was discovered that the space to be radiated was too close to the surface so I was disqualified.
My surgeon did a re excision to get bigger margins, though the first lumpectomy was adequate. I had to take time to heal before 5 weeks of radiation could begin. I took this time to educate myself.
I tried to talk to the RO but they said to talk to him after the simulation where they get you all tatted up for the radiology treatment. Finally, I got to talk to the RO. He was very charming, funny and skilled making his argument why I should go ahead with rads. I told him he should have been a lawyer.
But by this time, I knew too much and had also consulted with Dr. Lagious. I spoke to him for 30 minutes. The upshot was because of my small low grade DCIS with big margins, and my age (76) I should fore go rads. Since then I have had 3 followup mammograms and so far so good.
My insurance said I had a partial mastectomy. I have a big divot and about 25% of the volume of my breast is gone. You don't notice it in my clothes. It is a small price to pay. I avoided rads that can cause heart, lung, thyroid problems, and the increased risk of skin cancer.
I don't recommend this for others as I still may be wrong, but it is what I did. -
Infobabe, I am so happy to hear of your 3 follow ups being clear. Our stories are similar. I was scheduled for my first radiation appointment and almost convinced myself that this was what I had to do. I got on the computer and read everything I could get my hands on about DCIS and over treatment kept popping up. The next day I cancelled my appointment with the MO and the RO. I also got my 2nd opinion from Dr. Lagios who told me that I didn't need rads or Tamoxifen. I go to Sloan-Kettering in January for my first mammo and MRI in January, but feel confident that I made the right decision for me. My breast surgeon's nurse called me the other day and felt I should go for a 3rd opinion as Dr. Lagios is a pathologist and not an oncologist. She apologized for possibly butting in and I thanked her for her concern but that I felt very comfortable with my decision. My primary care doctor thought it was great that I educated myself - he also was pretty impressed with the info I shared with him on Dr. Lagios. I was just telling my sister that 2 months ago I never heard of DCIS and today I could write a chapter on it. -
It has been all over the UK news about how some cases have been over treated so the trend here now is to assess each case individually and if it's a small area, low grade it seems to be the norm to just treat with lumpectomy alone xx -
I chose only a partial mastectomy (lumpectomy...for insurance purposes that have to call it a PM). I had a wonderful surgeon who took out more than adequate margins and folded the tissue inside the breast so that I have no indentions and my breasts look the same. AND she took out 9cm x 6cm x 4 cm! You cannot even tell I had surgery without lifting my breast and looking for the scar underneath my breast. I chose no radiation or tamoxifen. My husband and I consulted with 3 RO before consulting with Dr. Lagios. We were armed with so much information that we could see that every single one of the RO were giving us facts and some just were not true! It was crazy. My advice is to read every journal and article you can get your hands on. My belief is that DCIS is very over treated. HOWEVER, you need to do what is best for YOU! You have to secure peace within yourself that about your decision. Do not let anyone try to talk you into either decision. It is your body! I am a one year survivor. I just had my first diagnostic mammogram and all was good. I have a MRI in 6 months. -
MMulder, some DCIS is probably overtreated and this has been discussed often on bco.org: particularly tiny amounts of low grade dcis. Multifocal, extensive high grade dcis with necrosis, such as I had (with family history), is probably not overtreated. I am forgoing the AI's, so I'm probably not overtreating (if anything, maybe undertreating). I would have just done the surgery or even left it in there, but one very experienced MO I saw early in the game said: "No one is going to leave THAT in there." Someday, we will develop better means for discriminating who does or doesn't need more aggressive treatment. I'd be surprised if even Dr. Lagios would have told me to forego radiation, if I had consulted him. In addition, I did not do a mastectomy, requiring three lumpectomies to get clean margins (got wide ones by the end.)
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I agree. It is only for a subset of patients. I wonder where you would have been on the VanNyes scale with grade 3 and 5cm. Probably needing more treatment. -
I am happy for you and hope the best for all of us.
I think doctors are not always saying what they are thinking but cannot speak because they have to abide the standard of care. I wonder if that will change now. My own doctor seemed happy and proud of me when she found out what I had done.
To say Dr. Lagious is only a pathologist is a joke. I wonder if the nurse called you on her own or if the doctor told her to? -
Janet, when policy officially changes in the UK, let us know. I know it would make the presses here. -
Will do. My docs told me it was a hot topic of debate at the moment.
Ballet12 - I was left to make my own decision as to rads for one small area of intermediate grade with good margins - I know I wouldn't have been given a choice if it was high grade and would have been just told to do rads. x -
Hi Janet, actually the surgeon kind of gently said that she strongly recommended rads. She's just that way, so that the patient always feels that she's in control. I don't know what it would have been like if I didn't "go with the flow." I did say; however; that I wasn't taking the aromatase inhibitors, when that ultimately came up. When I had to have a biopsy on the other side, she gently said, if they find atypia or DCIS, you might feel more strongly about taking the AI's, and I agreed.
I think your situation was much more difficult. You were in a gray zone between the low grade and the high grade and you really had to make that decision on your own. Much less easy situation.
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- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
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- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
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- 26 Furry friends
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- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
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- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
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- 586 Alternative Medicine
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- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
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- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
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- 591 Pain
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- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
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- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team