Why am I getting photon radiation instead of proton for left breast cancer?

It's completely understandable to feel confused about radiation planning and want to protect your heart and lungs. The choice between photon and proton radiation depends on many factors that your radiation oncologist considers, including your specific anatomy, tumor location, and what's available at your treatment center. Asking questions about your treatment plan shows great self-advocacy - consider requesting a detailed discussion with your radiation team about why photon therapy was chosen for your case and what heart-sparing techniques they'll use during your treatment.

I totally agree with asking for that detailed discussion - and you might also want to ask specifically about the heart-sparing techniques they plan to use, like breath-hold treatments, which can really help protect your heart during left-sided radiation.

Thank you for responding because i live in a small city my radiologist oncologist just let me know we don't have proton radiation in our community, but he reassured me that Breath Holding technique will bemysef.

Fair questions which I’m asking myself. This recent study showed a minimal difference in long term outcomes of women who had radiation and those that did not. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2412225

Thank you Cathy for sharing this information, greatly appreciated.

I didn't have a mastectomy my surgeon opted for lumpetocomy because of the size of the tumor and it was I guess also because of my health . I didn't have to stay in surgery so long and she was able to get it done within a week of diagnosis.

I talked to my radiation oncologist today because I had some questions as to how he could make assessments/plan on November 5 and he didn't actually do my CT Scan until yesterday November 13,How could he write up plan unless he was going by information my Oncologist Surgeon had put in her report and I know they all work together but my local Cancer Center does not even have Breast Surgeon just General Surgeon That's why i went about 1 hour awake to get a Lady Surgeon who specializes in breast cancer and Surgery .He had some expectations of course and I want to trust him because I will be getting five weeks of radiation if my body does not reject it or I get some low lab work and I will discontinue the radiation at that point ,I told him i do see a cardiologist for preventive measures and he said we will teach you about breath hold technique.

I had clear margins and minimal lymph node involvement. I am not doing radiation. My husband thinks I am crazy for not doing it. I was considering possibly trying it but only wanted lymph nodes zapped. No need for breast. I was told that protocol was all or nothing. If I didn’t agree then insurance would not pay for treatment. I would think they would want to pay for less treatment not more. Anyway, back to no way no how. My cancer type, treatment, and age indicate similar recurrence and survival with or without.

@Mary W Ask them if they use VMAT radiation - that’s what I had with breath holding and was very helpful.

I looked at Plan for radiation he is using IMRT/VMAT and breath holding techniques.

Great to know!

I had a 1.3 cm tumor, no node involvement, ER+/PR+/Her2-, low risk and clear margin 18 years ago. I had full radiation. The tumor came back this year to my bones. I am glad I had the radiation or else I would be kicking myself that I had not done enough to help myself. Anyway, I had a delightful 18 years which could have been less without the radiation. I’m 72 now so can deal with the metastatic issues better. But really the radiation confusion at your facility is somewhat disturbing.

I spoke with my radiologist oncologist and after talking to him I got some answers. The Cancer Center they don't have proton radiation in my area , and I am doing the IMRT/ VMAT radiation and he told me about the breath holding that will also be done to help with less damage to nearby organs.I adovocte for myself that's why I had so many questions before I start radiation . Did you have proton or photon radiation 18 years ago .I think I am Ok and will start radiation Monday December 1 .How many weeks did you do was it five weeks ? When you say full radiation you .I am Her2 positive.

I don’t remember what type of radiation but I do remember it was 6 weeks long. They gave me a cream which I used religiously and only burned towards the end.

Thank you for the information Ana very much and it is appreciated .I will ask about cream. I have brought Aquafor.