Deciding if I'm going to take treatment after lumpectomy

Hi Viewfinder, just thought I'd post some additional info. since as you know I wrestled with these issues quite a bit.

I'm not surprised that your doctor recommended lumpectomy for you instead of a masectomy. Your tumor is small and early stage, and masectomy is a much more difficult surgery. At age 70 the risk of complications would be significant.

I respect Yaniza's decision, but taking Tamoxifen or an AI can significantly reduce the risk of recurrence, no matter what type of surgery you choose. In fact for most women ithat daily pill reduces recurrence risk (of both breast cancer and spread elsewhere in the body) by 50 percent. In contrast, the risk of it causing uterine cancer is less than 1 percent in post-menopausal women. And because the first sign is visible enlargement of the endometrial lining, regular visits to a good OB/GYN can catch it early even in those rare cases.

So no, Viewfinder, I don't think you made a mistake.

Oneof7, if you don't trust your MO after that August 24 visit, please arrange for a second opinion, or even a third, until you find someone you do trust and can have a thorough conversation with. This is a complex field, and a good oncologist studies the latest research in ways we never could. I also recommend a very short and helpful book called "Navigating Breast Cancer," by a former nurse named Lillie Shockney. It puts some very complicated issues into simple language and was immensely helpful to me.

Best wishes to all of you.

Im joining this conversation a little late. I also had an "ugh, no way" reaction to the idea of radiation and hormone blockers. Three things changed my mind: 1) there was a speck on my sentinal node, so hell yes to radiation. 2) My Mom had breast cancer at the age of 85 and had a lumpectomy plus radiation, which she basically sailed through with daily zapping for five weeks. She got tired, but she was driving to another town every day for her sessions. She lived to 97 with no recurrence. If she could do that at her age, I can cope in my late 60s. 3) Another unrelated cancer was found, this one on my kidney. Since I'd already had endometrial cancer and several skin cancers (luckily, just basal cell), I figure I'm a bit of a cancer magnet and need to do all I can to keep that crap away from me!

The radiation is on hold until the nephrectomy is done and I'm at least partly healed, so this is more drawn out than I would have liked. But, the doctors are all staying in touch with each other, so I trust them to prioritize what needs to be done. No decision yet on which hormone blockers I'll get, since I've had a hysterectomy, and I already have osteoporosis - but there's time for that decision later.

Anyway, my point is that I think it's a good idea to throw as many preventive treatments at cancer as possible. No guarantees that they'll work, but I prefer to stack the odds.

Alice, when is your kidney surgery

Bella, the nephrectomy is scheduled for September 18th. Fall is my favorite season, and I was looking forward to having everything done in time to enjoy some road trips. Pooey! Maybe I'll get a long enough healing time scheduled before radiation, so I can do some quick get-aways before that dreary four weeks starts. DH and I live for our road trips, especially the long trips in the fall, and I feel so bad for him that our plans are on hold. It's annoying having to reset priorities from fun to medical this & medical that for several months. 👎😡

Hi, I've had a lumpectomy for DCIS, left, low grade, clean margins. I am 65 and considering no more treatment. Reading a lot about over treatment and that the future for stage 0 DCIS could be careful monitoring. Radiation to left side means heart + lungs and other possible damage. Right now I am disease free and odds are great I will stay that way. Hard to weigh risk/benefit of rads and possible bone and other problems with Arimidex, which is what they have recommended. Anyone else considering this in my situation - or have gone this route? Thanks

Hi LMK440

I think it matters where you have your radiation done. I wish I had my radiation in the same place I had the surgery but it was too far for me to commute each day until it was done.

I think I healed nicely after radiation but It takes a toll on your body. I have sob and pain now in the middle of my chest due to the radiation. If I carry anything at all it sets the pain off and I am out of breathe. I feel like they cracked some ribs or did some other damage that I won't find out about until I'm older. Every time I try to point it out to them, they say 'that's not us'. I know it didn't hurt before radiation.

My lumpectomy was left sided as well. Its a scary process. The surgery was the easiest part. The radiation and the Tamoxifen have proven to be a chore for me and my body does not like either. But hey - I'm alive.

New to this forum but wanted to share my history.

Dx left breast ca age 65. Had lumpectomy. Neg lymph nodes. Radiation 7 weeks then Tamoxifen 5 years.

In 2014 age 80 I started having back pain. Dx breast cancer Mets to the bones.

Aridimex 1 1/2 yes. Quit working. Then Ibrance and Fasoldex for 2 years . Quit working.

Started Afinitor with the fasoldex few months ago.

You can read list of SE with Afinitor. Had them all. Able to handle but 1 month ago started having swollen feet and ankles. Painful to walk.

Have decided to tell my onc when I see her in 2 weeks can not tolerate so will need to quit Afinitor.

Could still take monthly injection of Fasoldex and Xgeva every 3 months.

Future in question for me as I know I do need the Afinitor. According to my doc there are no other choices. But quality of life important no matter how long or short that will be.

This is just one woman's story. Would love to hear from older women who developed breast Mets and how you are doing