Is Radiation Necessary for Older Women with Breast Cancer?

I haven’t had it yet. Doctor said it feels like a sunburn. My friend said she felt fine.

I’m in my middle 40’s and I just finished 20 radiation treatments last week. The process itself is not hard. They were very accommodating of my needs and my oncologist seen me weekly to monitor my symptoms. I personally experienced a “sunburn” type burn that peeled twice. Not wearing a bra help! Also i used desitin baby butt cream and that was helpful too! This week I’m experiencing more soreness and swelling. Tired, but I’m always tired since having my thyroid removed. I wish you all the best! I feel the same anxiety about all the stuff they do to us during the treatment process. I fear for my future since I’m so young

There is a paper on the John’s Hopkins site written by Dr Tran. Her findings that women over 70 can pass on radiation and take hormone blockers.

I was 78 when I did 33 radiation treatments. My age wasn't ever considered an issue, as far as was discussed with me. I had very little discomfort but about half way finished I became unusually tired. By the last treatment I couldn't drive myself to the radiation office. Be sure to line up some friends who will give you a ride when you need it.

I am 74 and had radiation about 30 times and my skin was burnt and my skin started to fall off my oncologist said that I was given to much my Dr was not very good and had very bad bed side manners, radiation did not help my cancer

Do you have the protein HER2 or is it estrogen?

Haven't seen these articles. I was 78 when I had radiation and so far there have been no problems.

I had first radiation treatment today. Did not have pet scan so wanted lymph nodes hit. They said since I was 70 and clear margins no lymph nodes removed. I had a headache tonight don’t know if that was because of radiation. It went away without meds

Another reason I chose radiation is because I have terrible arthritis. Don’t know if I can tolerate hormone blockers. Will try after radiation.

This is such an important question that many women face, and it's completely understandable to have concerns about treatment decisions at any age. Research does show that for certain patients over 70 with specific tumor characteristics, radiation therapy may sometimes be omitted, but this decision depends on many individual factors that only an oncologist can properly evaluate. Consider discussing these studies with your medical team along with your specific pathology results and overall health status to determine what approach might be best for your unique situation.