Hormonal choice over radiation for seniors

Hi roche, I think it is important to understand that radiation and hormonal are two different treatments designed to do different things. So it's never an either/or question.

Radiation is a local treatment that very simply put, kills cells that are in the radiation field. The radiation field can be very accurately targeted to an area of interest. Radiation is usually given after lumpectomy. Remember that years ago, mastectomy was given to all women who had breast cancer. When lumpectomy was introduced, they complemented it with radiation because it kills the cells that might be left after lumpectomy.

Hormonal treatment however, is a systemic treatment approach aimed at slowing and hopefully, stopping the progression of cancer.

You didn't say how old you are and what health you are in, so it is difficult to advise anything. In any case, if you have any doubts about the treatment your MO recommends it is always a good idea to get a second opinion, even if it is just to confirm what you already know, i.e. that your doc is recommending the best standard of care in your case.

Best.

I was in my early 60s when diagnosed with a pathology pretty much matching yours. I had no LVI; my ki-67 was low and an oncotype of 18. It was assumed I would do radiation (I qualified for brachytherapy for 5 days) to be followed by hormonal meds. I first tried tamoxifen and had many problems; then tried anti-hormonals with even worse problems. Now I take nothing; so am glad I at least had the rads. I truly think the meds can be much more harmful than the radiation long-term. Good luck to you whatever you choose to do. There are no certainties in cancerland. I exercise daily, eat a plant-based diet, and take Vitamin D3 and magnesium

roche--I was a healthy, active 71-year-old at diagnosis (now a healthy, active 75-year old) with a tumor and path report like yours. When deciding between hormones vs rads, I read medical journal articles on this topic and opted (for a number of reasons, including my basic antipathy to taking meds for anything but an acute illness), to do only rads after the lx (on the right breast) and no hormone therapy, since research back then already said the two are equally effective in 70+ women.

My surgeon supported this decision, and even the med onc opined that, in light of my tumor stats and age, my decision to pass on the meds made sense in terms of the risk/benefit ratio for me. She was comfortable with my diet/nutrition plans, weight control, and exercise regimen, as are my surgeon and rad onc, both of whom continue to do my follow-ups in tandem. Feel free to PM me if you want more insight into my decision-making process.