Gonna be 69 on my surgery day!

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natsera
natsera Member Posts: 63
edited February 2017 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

The reason for the title is that there is evidence that women with small, hormone positive cancers who are over 70 may not need radiation. I fit the criteria EXCEPT that I'm just turning 69. So I'm feeling unsure about whether I should do it or not. Seems to me that there are argumpro and con and my problem Mary goal is to b e safe.

What think you?

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  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited February 2017

    You don't say anything about your nodes.  Did they do a sentinel node biopsy when you had your lumpectomy?  If you had no positive nodes, skipping radiation might not be too bad although, at least for me, radiation was a cake walk.  If you had a positive node which doesn't appear so from your stage 1A, then I would think you would not want to skip radiation.

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  • natsera
    natsera Member Posts: 63
    edited February 2017

    Cive, I haven't had surgery yet, so we don't know about the lymph nodes. I guess I'll have to see what turns up after surgery, which is shedukled for March 7

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited February 2017

    My mom was 80 when diagnosed and fit the criteria - 1.4 cm tumor, no positive nodes, ER+ - radiation statistically would have helped

    3%.  But you are much younger, so it will definitely be necessary for you to have the pathology to make this decision.

    I always recommend a second opinion at an NCI Designated Cancer Center with a tumor board for these kind of decisions. 

    Myself, my mom, my sister and I were all diagnosed within 3 years.  Seeking advice at a major cancer center was invaluable to all of us.

    Sending my best.

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