Canadian method (16 treatments) even after chemo

Hi everyone. I had mapping today for radiation therapy. My ROsurprised me by telling me he'd just read an article on how MD Anderson has had success with the Canadian method (16 treatments) even after receiving chemo and he immediately thought of me. I met all other criteria (lumpectomy, small tumor, no node involvement and over 50), but because I've done chemo I wasn't going to be eligible. Well now I am eligible!

I wish I'd asked for details on the article he read. I googled a bit, but couldn't find anything. Has anyone else heard about this? It means I'm getting another step closer to putting this ordeal behind me (I still get herceptin every third week for the rest of the year), but my jaded mind is now worrying.

I appreciate any information anyone can offer. I'll call his office if I have to, but thought I'd try here first.

Could this be it?

https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/oncolog/january-2015/some-breast-cancer-patients-may-benefit-from-shorter-course-of-w.html

Only getting 16 treatments would not apply to me for several reasons, but I am getting radiation at M.D. Anderson and my RO mentioned yesterday that instead of getting the 33 treatments we originally discussed I may only need 30 because as long as my skin holds up he can start to increase my dose at the end- so I still get the same total dose, just over less visits. He mentioned they had done a lot of research in this area recently and have found stronger treatments are usually well tolerated and just as effective.

I did the Canadian method, although I'm not sure the age requirement you mentioned is correct as I was 41. 

I had all my cancer care done at MD Anderson, including the radiation. It was really a piece of cake. You are given the same amount of radiation as someone going through the "traditional" 33 treatments, only each treatment is more dose dense, meaning you get more radiation in each treatment. My RO told me that they are finding the skin holds up much better with shorter, dose dense treatments. As for me personally, I would agree. My skin did become pink and hot to touch, but no burning or blistering. 
Not sure what else you need to know, but I'll be happy to help if you have any further questions. 

Serenity, thank you! After some digging at the link you provided, I found a legit article that stated it’s safe for patients that have had chemo. That puts one more nagging little fear to rest. Whew!

I had the Canadian method...I told my RO I was interested due to distance between my home town and radiation center (didn't want to do that commute any more than necessary), but he wasn't sure I was a candidate, NOT because of the chemo, but because of size/location of tumor and breast size (apparently side effects can be greater with that method in larger chested women). However, while he isn't physically located at Stanford, he has a Stanford affiliation, so he ran my case by the entire Stanford radiation Board and they said sure. I didn't research it at all but figured if it was ok with the Radiation Dept/Rad Board at Stanford that was good enough for me...

by the way, I did have a fair amount of redness and skin peeling. However, once I was done it healed very quickly.

I am almost finished with the Canadian radiation treatment protocol and it has gone well. Three years ago I had the longer, lower dose protocol and it about killed my shoulder, so I was delighted to cut down the number of sessions.

I did find this go round to be very fatiguing and also harder on the skin, but I'm still glad I chose it.

I'm about to begin this course of treatment too. Initially the RO said 33 doses, but then yesterday at my simulation I was told it would be 16 whole breast followed by 5 targeted right at the tumor site.

Fingers crossed that I will have minimal side effects too

Bevin, generally if no chemo is recommend, it's for a DCIS or Stage I node-negative diagnosis where the likely benefit from chemo doesn't outweigh potential side effects. Radiation might still be used because it discourages local or regional recurrence, but, for many women, has limited long term damage. I hope I've explained that correctly.

Lyn