Radiation Effectiveness - Stage, Grade, Lymph Node Status?

Theresa, if you do find any stats please PM me, as I've been looking for same. Thanks - and good luck.

I had the same choice as you and I did rads. It seemed less extreme and I was told it gave the same outcome. Knowing I had a choice made me think about losing my breast and I found myself not wanting to. I took my chances with rads. I'm two wks post treatment and ithas not been an easy time...and I'm still learning about the effects of radiation. None of these decisions are easy.

Italychick I was in your shoes a few weeks ago, and I chose PBMX. I'm a research and stats person too, and even after looking at every piece of data I could find and discussing it with bs etc., I think it comes down to what you feel is the right thing for you to do. It is a wrenching decision no matter how you cut it. I finally had to say to myself "ok the problem is: this is not a choice between Disneyland and Six Flags," and I felt better. There are drawbacks to both, and you wouldn't choose either if you could help it. So look at all the data you can find, and then realize that you probably aren't going to go "Yay!! This is the decision I'm so happy!" It is going to be the best decision you can make in the circumstances. I don't think I answered your question but I wanted to chime in and say I know how hard this decision is. I'm in San Diego too -- what hospital are you at?

We sound very similar with the educated patient approach. I'm at UCSD Moores Cancer Center. Here's an idea: get a second opinion. That's what they're for, after all. Most insurance pays for it, too. I highly recommend my bs Sarah Blair at Moores Cancer Center. She sat me down and said "Are you sureeeeee you want a PBMX?" even though she brought it up first haha. But I'm the same way: dense breasts, mother and maternal aunt died of bc, I've already had a lumpectomy for DCIS and now I have a papilloma that grew in the last six months so prolly has some cancer in it. This was the hardest decision I've ever made in my life. Dr. Blair wanted me to do at least tamoxifen but radiation too, and I just didn't want to because I don't want to risk that we won't find a recurrence because of my dense breasts. But again, I could make an argument for both courses of action! That's why it is a hard decision, and we just don't have a crystal ball to tell us what the right decision is.