Facing Tough Decisions After a Second Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Get information! I had radiation on the left breast and the were preparing me with a breathing technique to avoid my heart during tx.. but the CAT scan showed it would be missed altogether and just the tip of my lung..it’s been 4 years and I’m fine

Debbie, that's my experience too. I opted for radiation due to what the Radiology doctor called microscopic dust and my oncologist called zombie cells (cells that are not good yet haven't turned bad yet). My older sister had the same diagnosis as I have: DCIS Stage 0, grade 2 HR+ (97% estrogen & 50-60% progesterone). We both had a lumpectomy, and I'm going for my radiation therapy. My sister opted not to do radiation and the cancer came back 2 years later. I am trying to prevent it from coming back. If after radiation therapy (30 sessions for me) the cancer returns, then I will opt for more drastic measures. I am not open to hormone suppressors due to my strong family history of stoke and DVT. I am now almost finished with my radiation treatments. I tolerated them well.

The same I had radiation on right side. That was June 2022 crossing my fingers 🤞,💖💖 i hope we all beat this cancer and continue to stay healthy

I'm the same , I had double mastectomy, the cancerbwas on the left side, doctor stated I only need radiation 7%, I think that's too low to risk my heart and more I did 4 rounds of chemo and I added Holistic medicine as well so I didn't experience as many side effects as everyone else. I'm not going to lie, I'm afraid of radiation since I lost my 2 best friends months after receiving radiation😞😫

I had radiation. My BC was stage 1 grade 2 DCIS 1.7 cm 100% HR and HER2 -. My onco score was super low at 3. ( So chemo would not benefit due to the onco score). I am in a study and my radiation was a one time and done high dose at 36Gy. It was a focused radiation that targeted only the tumor and 2mm margins. A lumpectomy comes 12 months later (So fall of 2023). In meantime I have blood tests that monitor (possible) circulating cancer cells. Also the 3D MRIs at 3 months out then 6 months. Also I take letrozole. I understand there are radiation treatment options ( just depending on your particular type of cancer). Some women can get 5 focused tx ( So it only hits the tumor and not the whole breast). I'm not sure what hospitals offer this. I live in the DFW area and a hospital in Dallas offers this type of treatment.

I just found out that I am going to do My radiation in prone position to protect my heart!

That's interesting I did mine laying in my back.

I had stage one cancer on left breast (1.7cm), small non cancer lump ofon right / had surgery on both ! I opted out for chemotherapy but did radiation, my Dr said it would affect part of my lung, hoping I will be okay ! Good luck in your journey 🙏🙏

I did double mastectomy because I didn’t want to worry about my diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma. My oncologist told me that I didn’t have to worry about the cancer ever returning and didn’t required me to do any other treatment including oral. But now I have lesions on my liver and kidney. He told me not to worry about it, but I get so sick. So, I am glad you’re seeking treatment. Does anyone have been told the same after a mastectomy?

@Lizzie ,Doctors can't tell you that it won't return. I had a 11cm tumor removed of my left breast, I chose a doble mastectomy and after 12 hours of my surgery they also removed cancer from the right breast but my surgeon never informed me of it. I found out after I requested the records of my surgery since I was giving meds I was allergic to even though it was on my file. My family watched me dying but God had other plans. I did 4 rounds of immunotherapy chemo and refused radiation. I'm now on the 5 year pill " Taxofen" and I'm also doing Dr's Max Gerson Therapy protocol to removed all the radicals and cancer cells left in my body if there is any. I had 3 PET'S scan and they were all clean. I decided to get 3 more medical opinions , one in Germany, Texas and Colombia and found out I never should have received chemotherapy 😔. I'm now just taking the daily hormone pill and following a plant base diet, I feel cheated by the doctors, specially the surgeon who waited 4 months to finally perform a biopsy 😔. We are blessed to be here, we need to continue to fight for our lives and consume the things that are going to heal our bodies. I believe God has a plan and I trust him with everything I got! Be blessed 🙏

My invasive lbular carcinoma of left breast was removed along with 29 axillary lymph nodes. I am 86 years old and very healthy until now. I am taking Letrozole and Verzenio. Cscan after surgery showed no metastasis. I do not want radiation as I fear lymphedema and other side effects will greatly interfere with my quality of life. I may live another 10 years so should I do the radiation—25 days?

Hello, I just had my lumpectomy on my left breast. What were you effects aft the lumpectomy and node(s) removal? I feel like I have an air pocket, it makes noise when I touch that area, redness across the side, do not remember sleeping on that side. My appt for what's next is in approx two weeks.

Don't wait. Call your surgeon who can best answer if infection or not...

@Adriana W. What studies? You mean if you are over 65 radiation is not recommended? I'm just curious because I'm close to this age

There are clinical trials looking at de-escalation of radiation with smaller tumor size and lower Oncotype. I am in the DEBRA trial and was randomized to no radiation. Lumpectomy, sentinal nodes negative, and Letrozole for 5 years.

I'm in a clinic trial also. Tumor has to be less than 3cm. DCIS. One high dose focused radiation ( to tumor area only), lumpectomy 10-12 months after radiation and AI 5 years . I was wondering if Adriana was referring to being over 65 and how that might affect treatment. I mean if there were any studies to the age thing

PRIME II Phase 3 clinical trial results for older women forgoing radiation with early breast cancer

IDEA Trial also has some outcomes on this. Very specific patient criteria of tumor size, low Oncotype, extent of clear margins, etc.

Interesting. I wonder how they treat the cancer.

Breast conserving surgery and 5 years to 10 years of aromatase inhibitors, estrogen hormone reducers. Im on Letrozole.

Okay. That's similar to what I'm doing. I'm in a study though. I had one high powered focused dose on the tumor only (not the whole breast) and on an AI (letrozole). Probably for 5 years, but I'm going to see if I can do less. Follow up with biopsy, blood work, MRIs and maybe something else, I need to read the study again. My surgery (lumpectomy ) will be 10-12 months after my one radiation tx, approximately in October to November 2024.

I’m curious about treatment for women over 65 years old. I was diagnosed last July at age 67, had surgery and am Stage 2, ER and PR positive, HER negative and low OncoType. No chemo but had 21 rounds of radiation. Burnt me raw and had to stop at 21. I hope 21 rounds was enough and will start aromatase inhibitor next week. I pray every day for no recurrence 🙏

Nancy F. I am very similar to you. 63 yo, grade 2, stage 1, 100 percent estrogen and progesterone positive. My oncotype recurrence score was 3. My tumor was 2 cm at time of radiation. I'm on letrozole now, goal is 5 years. My study that I'm in had me do one high powered gamma pod radiation (equivalent to having 20) with a lumpectomy schedules this coming October or November of 2024.

I’m so so sorry. I’m sure it was a shock. I went through sorta the same thing found in breast tissue in breast that I had the reaction done on. Just had the 2nd excision 5 days ago. You’ll be fine

How many of you are opting out of the suppressor meds? I’m so torn