Side effects and risk of radiation therapy

Honestly, lots of things cause cancer. My understanding is that radiation reduces the risk of local recurrence so much that it's worth it. I was quoted statistics and was horrified at my risk of recurrence without it. I don't remember exactly what she said, but I do remember feeling confident that it was the way to go.

I went through a period of skepticism over radiation too. I did a lot of reading and asked a lot of questions. Ultimately my conclusion is that 'standard of care' is standard of care for a reason. A lot of well designed research and validation and studies have gone into demonstrating that it is overall the most effective for promoting health based on the information and technology available to us today. That means taking into account potential risks and side effects. In

For some people, standard of care is not appropriate. For example, if they have certain co-morbidities or prior radiation, or something like that. That's why it is important to have a doctor that you trust to understand your full medical picture and take those things into account. Even with a doctor like that, for most of us, 'standard of care' really will be the gold standard.

Something that I read recently on an article linked here about FDA approved vs non-approved supplements was that sometimes people will read the pamphlet of warning and side effects that is legally mandated to be included with FDA-approved substances, and get spooked. Then assume that something non-FDA approved must be safer, because it doesn't have those warnings. Well, no. It doesn't have those warnings because it doesn't have to, and possibly the dangers are not really known or understood because the extensive testing has not been done. (Have you ever tried to read the inserts on a drug you regularly take, say ibuprofen or acetaminophen or birth control? Those can be pretty scary too).

The reason we know about the side effects and risks of radiation is because it has been so well studied.

It is frustrating that it is impossible to know outcomes ahead of time. Overall, we know that there is a significant subset of women who would have had recurrence without radiation but are recurrence free without radiation. We know there is a subset of women who will have severe adverse side effects to radiation. We know there is a significant subset of women who would never recur even without radiation. But we don't know any of that for any given individual ahead of time!

Maybe in a year or five or ten, new research will give us better information. But for now we all have to make the best decisions we can with the information we have - the decision that each of us decides she can live with.

If you feel like your mom's doctor hasn't given her enough information about radiation for her consent to be informed, that's one thing. Or if your mom has some relevant medical information that her RO doesn't know about, or that you feel he hasn't really taken into account. But otherwise, if your mom is feeling comfortable with the treatment plan and this is really your nerves, I would say 'let it go'.

I finished my 7 weeks of radiation in March,2019. My RO quoted my chance of recurrence going from 22% to 7% with the treatment. For me it was the way to go. Side effects for me are not too bad. I used good lotion frequently and he prescribed a cream when it got worse. Every situation is different, I would talk to your mom and her oncologist and tell them your fears. Good luck.

If it helps, I did the long 33 rounds of radiation and finished in December, age 68, no problems. My Mom did the same amount in 2005 at age EIGHTY-EIGHT, also with no problems.

I had radiation in May 2017. Unfortunately I'm one of the few that had terrible side effects. I found out after the radiation. There are some categories of women prone to more side effects. Anyone who is older, has large breasts, is obese, a diabetic has a greater risk. I had an Radiation Oncologist tell me after I had severe side effects that she NEVER recommends the 5 day accelerated radiation because of all the side effects. 2 weeks after my radiation, the skin fell off my breast (moist desquamation). It lasted 6 weeks. Extremely painful. The RO said "we never see this" ... either he was lying or incompetent. Then 5 months later, several of my ribs fractured. I had NOT injured myself. I went to a different RO (IO fired the first one) and she said it was 'referred" pain from my sore breast. I argued with her and said the breast was a sore pain, the ribs pain was severe stabbing pain. She didn't do anything. No X-Ray and no pain meds. Again, incompetent. I suffered for 6-8 weeks. I just stayed in bed and cried. This year I had a CT scan for a kidney spot and the report said they saw SEVERAL HEALED BROKEN RIBS. You can also get chrondritis in your ribs. Please do some research before to help you make the decision. Knowing what I know now, I would not have had radiation. I am NOT telling anyone not to have radiation. Everyone is different and each diagnosis is different. Just do research, ask questions and if she does have side effects you will know what to ask or demand. I was too anxious to get it over with and should have done more research. I may have still decided to have it but would have known what to expect. I would NOT rely on the RO's or the paper they give you. Prayers for your Mom.

I didn’t ask questions I just did the treatments because I was so relieved I had dodged chemo. Fortunately for me I had very manageable side effects. I am 8 years out this August God willing . I know they can show up years later but I’m still glad I had the radiation treatments. Sorry you have experienced such horrific side effects.

Diane