Radiation VS Implants

karabesque
karabesque Member Posts: 84
edited October 2015 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

HI,

I have just been told that I need to have radiation. I have already had a bi-lateral mastectomy and 8 rounds of chemo. My plastic surgeon has told me that because of the elevation of where we live, he has a 50% success rate with implants. My reoccurance rate is 30% and radiation will decrease this rate by 2/3 or to 10%. Also, they want to take out the TEs I already have in and then, only if my skin is okay, in another year we can try the implants. I also have the option of fat grafting.

My problem is I am so done with all of the treatments and cancer itself and am leaning towards refusing the radiation and just getting the implants and live a clean, healthy, preventative lifestyle. My cancer was ER/PR positive and I know that the hormones can be controlled.

Has any one refused radiation and opted for a preventative lifestyle? If so, what are you doing and how is it going for you? I appreciate all feedback, on either side of the fence. I need guidance and some help deciding on this major choice.

Thanks in Advance!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • powerthruit
    powerthruit Member Posts: 59
    edited October 2015

    I just went through a major quandary about radiation. I learned much about how important it can be. Went for 3 external opinions. (And if you feel you need to, go get another opinion IMHO if you are at a 30% chance of recurrence -- and from your pic you look young!:-) do radiation! You can always do another type of reconstruction down the road. It will all take longer, but it WILL be behind you! Just my two cents.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited October 2015

    I did the rads, but skipped the recon for similar reasons. I was not interested in more treatment, and nor was I interested in the high failure and complication rate of the implants.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited October 2015

    Hi!

    I can't see your stats (diagnosis, stage, grade, etc.), so I'm hesitant to give you advice without knowing your situation. As someone who was diagnosed with an aggressive, locally-advanced cancer (HER2+, Stage IIIA, and Grade 3), I agreed to do radiation. Since I only had a lumpectomy, I did not have to worry about reconstruction.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited October 2015

    Kara, if we knew your stage, grade etc. we could make more educated comments on your situation. What might be appropriate choice for one person might be very risky for the next.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nancyh
    nancyh Member Posts: 2,644
    edited October 2015

    Not sure if my answer will hit the mark or not, but reconstruction post-raditiation is totally doable. I had a lat flap on my previously radiated side and it turned out great, that was 7 years ago.

    Preventive lifestyle is great, do that too, but I wouldn't skip radiation based on the reduction in risk that your doctors have laid out. Best wishes to you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories