74 and counting

Barb, I was diagnosed with IDC earlier this year at the age of 70. I also had a small tumor with no cancer in the lymph nodes, but, because my cancer was aggressive, I had both chemotherapy and radiation. I had 19 radiation treatments, 15 "regular" (whole breast) and 4 "boosts" (focused on the area of the cancer). I moisturized as instructed and had very few side effects. My skin got a little pink, as if it was sunburned, and for a while it was itchy, but it quickly returned to normal after treatment ended. I did have some fatigue, too, but that may have been due to the chemo that I had earlier rather than the radiation, and in any event, it wasn't severe. So for me, radiation wasn't bad at all.

Oh Barbara, I am so sorry to hear this for you.

I have very high risk of BC and recently had my second biopsy in the past 12 months. Still waiting for the results of that and so am not speaking of personal experience but I can share information about my aunt and moms.

My adoptive mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 IDC at 75 in the fall of 2016. She had all of it: Chemo, radiation, etc. She did not handle any of it well. My birth mother was diagnosed with Stage 2 IDC at 62 last fall and had radiation - she tolerated that very well. My aunt also had IDC stage 2 at 78 and had radiation - also tolerated it very well. The difference between my adoptive mom and aunt (since their ages were most similar to yours) was their overall mental health and outlook on life. My mom went into this with a very sour attitude - she felt the lump many months prior to having anything done about it and may have avoided the extensive therapies and treatments if she'd jumped on it. On the other hand, my aunt was the first person to pick up the phone immediately after noticing the lump and kept her head held high with a huge smile and gratitude for life the whole time.

The only thing I can offer you in my 44 years of life experience is that attitude and outlook seem to have an effect on how people handle treatment. I'm sure other women on here who have been through this themselves, or know someone who has, can prove or disprove this but from what I've seen personally it seems true. The way you write makes me believe you're a fighter and I've no doubt you will make the decision that feels right for you. I am thrilled you have a supportive team and that you're doing everything you can to gather as much information as possible.

It was recommended I take Tamoxifen last year after my benign abnormal biopsy. I declined due to its side effects. Now, going through another biopsy at just 12 months later, I am rethinking that decision. I didn't want to enter menopause early if possible but I don't want more children at my age and my mood swings have already increased back to that of a teenager in the last year so I feel like it's coming whether I want it to or not.

I wish you peace and confidence during this decision making process. XO

Hugs and love from Pennsylvania.

It’s a tough call but if it was me I would have the radiation treatment. The fact that you have already had a recurrence suggests a different game plan. My sister had a recurrence after 4 years in the same breast. She had a MX but no chemo or radiation. This time around she had radiation and has shots every month.

Radiation wasn’t bad at all for me. A bit of burning and fatigue halfway through the treatments. It was never a question for me whether I would do it or not. I had 33 treatments. I too had a low Oncotype score@11, IDC, Stage 1b, Grade 1 followed by a lumpectomy.

If you decide not to do radiation just don’t second guess yourself or look back and ask yourself what if..

Good luck.

Diane