HAVING RADIATION THERAPY NEED ADVICE FROM OTHERS PLEASE!!!!

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constantine1
constantine1 Member Posts: 3
edited January 2016 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I recently was diagnosed with DCIS, I was very blessed when I had the surgery that it was still contained in the milk duct and had not spread to my breast tissue or lymph nodes. Still the surgeon wants me to have radiation therapy, I have gotten several different responses from doctors about the recurrence issues. Some say if I dont have radiation therapy the chances of it coming back again are about 25- 30 percent and with radiation it lowers it too about 5-15 percent. Well there is a big difference between 30 percent and 15 percent compared to 25 percent to 5 percent. I was just wanting feedback from you lovely ladies out there that had this same type of cancer, and if you went throw radiation what were you told were the chances of recurrence, I would appreciate all your imput and comments on this topic, thank you and God Bless..

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  • Roon
    Roon Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2015

    I'm in the same situation as you and really don't want to have the radiation. Also they want $3,000 up front just for a consult BC I have medicare and no gap insurance.(definitely getting it for next year.) In the mean time I have a consult for breast reduction bf radiation. My breast surgeon suggested to do it bf radiation. So confused. I'd love to hear from anyone in this situation as well. Any ideas where to look for radiation treatments for a lessor cost? Help.

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  • powerthruit
    powerthruit Member Posts: 59
    edited October 2015
    I did not have a similar diagnosis, but just went through a huge quandary about radiation. I highly recommend reviewing the evidenced based guidelines on ncccn.org (go to patient resources and search by cancer type) AND go for second, third...opinions. External if you can afford it and even other ROs at your institution can be very helpful. The head of radiation at my institution had a very different POV than the original RO assigned to me.
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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited October 2015

    I had DCIS grade 3, I did the full deal, surgery, rads and then 5 years of AL

    my insurance at the time was a lousy plan from my then employer but I pulled poverty and came out at the end with no debt

    I have since gone on Medicare and went for the part A, B part D and Supplimental

    with a history of cancer it is important (my opinion) to have the best insurance plan available

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  • jullis
    jullis Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2015

    Hi...I'm sorry you feel like you need more information. Your doctor is suppose to supply you with all the answers to your very important questions and make you feel well informed and confident about your decisions...if not, you haven't found the right doctor for you. Your medical oncologist should refer you to a radiation oncologist. I'm from the Philadelphia area and have a wonderful radiologist that could help you if you are from my area. I had to have radiation for my stage1 IDC with DCIS since I had a lumpectomy. My doctor gave me the (accelerated) shortened whole breast radiation treatment of just 21 days, I understand that most whole breast radiationtreatments in the US are around 33 days, of course, everyone has a different story. I faired very well. I used Aquafor right after treatment and Emu oil at night. My Cancer was aggressive, but after all of my treatments, I was given a 5% recurrence rate (which includes 5 - 10 years of anti-hormonal treatment). I hope someone with your exact diagnosis can better help you. Best wishes in finding peace of mind in your treatment and throughout this path we're on together.

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  • NM71
    NM71 Member Posts: 10
    edited November 2015

    I finished radiation on Oct. 29. I would certainly have radiation, even though you have only dcis. i had invasive ductal carcinoma and had chemo, surgery and radiation. 33 days of radiation,, the last 8 which were boosts. With all that, radiation was certainly a walk in the park compared to chemo. Your radiation people should tell you about what creams to use and when. I used miaderm and cortisone cream. I did have some peeling (like flaking) at the end. I felt fine during radiation, was able to keep up with my exercise program, and I'm most likely a lot older, have thin, red-head skin, but did well. There was one point where the dr. thought things were looking a bit red, and put me on a week's break - that worked out just fine.

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited November 2015

    proudtospin, what prescription plan do you have, please

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  • cuddyclothes
    cuddyclothes Member Posts: 160
    edited November 2015

    I have Medicare Part A and B, AARP United Healthcare Supplemental, and AARP Medicare Part D. I pay a lot for my supplemental insurance, but it has been worth because I've needed a lot of medical attention over the years.

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited November 2015

    That's what I have, but not the AARP prescription plan - Medicare Preferred RX. How do you like it cuddyclothes?

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  • Quraine
    Quraine Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2016

    Hi constantine,

    what did you decide to in the end? I have similar dx as you and am presently recovering from my lumpectomy and sentinal node

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