Want advice- who chose NO radiation, early detect ILC

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animal_lover
animal_lover Member Posts: 1
edited May 2018 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I have been searching for studies that show data on women who chose not to do radiation after a lumpectomy with early detection ILC and can not find any. I am more afraid of the effects of radiation then cancer! Is that crazy? I just feel like radiation has so many negative side effects. The protocol is lumpectomy and then radiation so it is really hard to get a straight answer from Dr. on what are the statistics if you chose not to do radiation. I have heard so many different things, I don't know what to believe. I can not find any semi-recent studies on local recurrence if you don't do radiation.

Are you 5 - 10 years out and did not undergo radiation? Have you had local recurrence?

I had Left, ILC stage 1A, grade 1, 0/7 nodes, w/ clean margins

I keep thinking that positive attitude and healthy lifestyle will help in fighting any little cancer cells from going rogue on me better than radiating the heck out of my body. Am I wrong?


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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited May 2018

    I dont think you are wrong. I had an mx though, but I am so glad not to do radiation.

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  • Icietla
    Icietla Member Posts: 1,265
    edited May 2018

    Welcome, animal_lover.

    Roughly 93% of the early stage breast cancers would be IDC and DCIS. Of the mostly ILC cases in the other roughly 7%, many would have mastectomy surgery, either from choice or from lumpectomy not being a feasible option. Of those having lumpectomy surgery, nearly all would have the recommended radiation treatment also. So you should not expect to find any ILC-specific statistics for which you are looking.

    This may be helpful. Notice, in particular, Paragraph 4 in the NCI item, which discusses generally the other linked item.

    https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/research/radiation-improves-survival

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22019144


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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited May 2018

    Hi animal lover. I'm an ILC-er who had lumpectomy + radiation. If you are stage 1A you may be eligible for four weeks of radiation rather than six, so ask your doctor about that if you are worried about side effects. But personally I'd recommend radiation based on the studies I have seen.

    And lcietla, thanks for the links!

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