Have you not decided to do Radiation?

glassdr2 · November 2013

I was diagnosed with first stage cancer in October in two different places on one breast. They were very small and easy to remove. Four lymph nodes were taken and they all came back negative. Now they want me to go in for radiation treatments. At first I didn't have a problem with it, but the more I thought about it, and the more i read and questions answer I am not sure this is something I want to do. I was told that even if I got first stage cancer again that I would not be able to do radiation again the tissue would be too damage. I don't think this is something I want to do when there's no guarantees in the first place that the cancer won't come back. At least if it does, I would still be able to have the lnmps removed without removing the whole breast. I already deal with muscular dystrophy and I'm tired as it is and I'm afraid that the radiation will ask aspirate it. I can understand if I had stage III or four, but for stage one, I just can't see going through the radiation. I'm not crazy about the medicine that they want me to take because of some of the side effects like depression, tiredness, and sore joints. But I think the medicine is the least of the two evils. I am wondering if anybody out there has decided not to go with radiation and did just the medicine and how it turned out for you. I have until January to decide. Would like others input.

Anonymous · November 2013

I had radiation & did not have any fatigue from it. I was working full time & training (walking 20-30 miles a week) for a hiking tour. I did that hiking tour (Tuscany) six weeks after completing radiation! The only problems I had with radiation were some skin issues towards the end -- RO decided to end treatment plan after 30 instead of 32 sessions, to spare a couple of tender, sunburn-like areas that were directly over bone (esp. collarbone).

I had much more fatigue with chemo, along with many other side effects -- but I eventually got over all of them.

On the other hand, I was Stage III, Grade 3, with 5 lymph nodes positive. I was definitely doing radiation if it was recommended!

Maureen1 · November 2013

So sorry to hear the challenges you are facing with muscular dystrophy and breast cancer treatment...I really struggled with the decision on whether to do radiation...my MO encouraged me to see the RO and be evaluated. I actually had two consults and both had the same recommendations so I did not do the radiation. They both said the only reason to do radiation was to prevent local recurrence in the chest wall or skin but I had great margins and the tumor wasn't near the skin or chest wall. My tumor was on the left side so I was worried about heart damage, which both RO's said was possible. I also wanted to do reconstruction and would not have been able to have immediate implant reconstruction if I had rads. I decided to have a skin sparing BMX after I finished chemo and the pathology on both breasts was negative for any cancer. This week I had the scar tissue removed from the original lumpectomy site and it was also negative for any cancer cells so at this point there is no local recurrence and it appears that the decision not to do radiation was appropriate for me. As many of the women on these boards told me...we make the best decisions we can with the information we have and don't look back and second guess yourself...Good luck with your decision...(((Hugs))) Maureen

dogsandjogs · November 2013

I did not do radiation because my tumor was on the left side and the RO said my heart would be in the radiation field . He also said 6 percent of my lung would be damaged and there was a possibility of bone breakage. I would only decrease my risk by 4 percent so decided against it. The RO was ok with my decision.

BikerLee · November 2013

not knowing anything about your diagnosis… i would suggest a couple of things to think about …

1 - personally, i would prefer rads over a systemic medication for ten years, if i were given a choice of one over the other. the meds can really mess with a person's body, causing all kinds of side effects, including fatigue and depression and more. with your other health issue, i'd also be concerned about possible drug interactions. in comparison, the rads would be a 6 or so week long experience… with healing up after… so, if i had to choose one over the other, i think i'd opt for rads over meds. but, that is my own perspective. i had a mastectomy, which meant that rads were unlikely for me, and that came to pass. rads were not recommended.

the rads are meant to nab any cells that might be located in an area near your original tumors. and, recurrence rates drop with use of rads when women opt for lumpectomy. standard of care is rads after lumpectomy.

2 - consider getting a second opinion if you are concerned about the recommendations coming from your health care team. these decisions are difficult, and more than one expert opinion on a treatment plan can be super helpful. when considering your other health concern, i imagine that you have a lot more to think about. is your regular physician able to provide advice?

good luck - sooooo glad your nodes came back negative - what a relief!

lee

mcgis · November 2013

I was given the option to get it or not. I've chosen to get it even though I'm freaked about it ruining my implant and worsening my lymphedema. My RO told me getting it can increase the chances of cancer NOT reoccurring from 15% to 5%. I feel like I wouldn't be helping myself if I didn't get it.

glassdr2 · December 2013

Thank you for the posts. I did decide not to do radiation and the meds. To many side affects with both of them. It may not be the right choice for some people but I would rather have quality of life for a shorter time them to have to worry about weather the side affect will put me in a wheelchair. After reading a lot of posts on here i see there is no guarantee even if I do the radiation or meds. I could still get cancer again.

anne31 · March 2014

I had a lumpectomy for stage 2 cancer in the left breast and 2 nodes removed alll clear. I have refused to take the tablets,

because of the side effects, and have decided to take flaxseed oil, and other various vitamins. I am still not sure if I will have radiation because of the side effects? my oncoligist informed me that only 1 in a 100 will get heart disease and other problems in around 4 to 5 years. If I decide I will be doing the Heartspare trial where the radation beam by-passes the heart so reduces the risks of heart problems later on. Hope this is useful to you.

anne31 · March 2014

There is a new trial going on at present called Heartspare which limits the danger to the heart with radation. I have stage 2 breast cancer left side but no cancer in nodes or the margins. I have refused the medication, taking vitamins instead. I am not sure if I want the radiation? will se my Doctor april 1st. so will wait and see.

anne31 · March 2014

how I agree with you, Good luck and God bless you.

msphil · March 2014

I too had much more fatigue with chemo than with rads, and I felt ok, but each are different so it varies from person to person. God Bless. msphil(idc,stage2, 3 nodes, L mast, and rads for 7wks, 5 days a week, I am a 20 yr Survivor (Praise GOD). Hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and INSPIRATION

suzytchr · March 2014

I had a lumpectomy and it turned out that all the DCIS had been removed with the biopsy. I decided not to do radiation or medication because of the negative side effects. I have changed my diet and exercise more with hopes of losing weight since my surgeon said that would be the best thing I could do for myself.

dotty478 · March 2014

I also am struggling as to whether take radiation..also stage 1 w/ copd and on 02 therapy 24x7...my radiologist gave me results of stage 1 after bsgi was performed..think i will see surgeon w/o core needle biopsy,,,1 less procedure

Have you not decided to do Radiation?

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