Why Is Radiation Recommended After My Lumpectomy?

I had DCIS stage zero 14 years ago. One milk gland and margins were removed. All of the cancer was removed. I still had 46 radiation treatments.

But I don’t understand why if there’s no cancer it had been removed why the radiation?

In simplest terms: even with clean margins, cancer cells can escape from surgery and start multiplying again and then be metastisized elsewhere in your body. Radiation helps to kill off those stray cells that might have escaped. ❤️

Cynthia, it's the best solution with the information at hand. Doctors cannot predict the future. I had a clean "removal" with single mastectomy and lymph nodes, followed by radiation. Here we are 3 years later with breast metastasis in two other areas but no major organs. I have changed oncology teams twice and still received the best care they could have provided with the info we had on hand. Trust God all the way and keep sharing. These group talks keep me motivated that I am not alone. God bless each of you and Happy New Year!

Oh, question- are any of you taking vitamins?

Bien y usted?

I had a lumpectomy Nov 27, clean margins, grade 3. Radial oncologist wants to do radiation on entire breast for 5 rounds. Increase radiation each day, I’m confused. His reasoning seemed to make sense at the appointment. Still waiting to meet with medical oncologist. Lymph nodes were clean.

I have the same diagnosis as you, they got the whole tumor, it's not in the lymph nodes. I don't want to do radiation, I'm scared of what it will do to my body. My surgeon is who recommends 4 to 6 weeks of radiation. I go next Thursday to meet my oncologist then the following week the radiologist. I started Turkey tail mushrooms right after I was diagnosed in November to prepare for radiation therapy if I end up doing it.

This is new to me, I'm scared, I'm not understanding very well. I read and read but still scare. I don't know what to do. The oncologist is telling me I have cancer on my rt breast, he's recommending a lumpectomy and I feel a mastectomy would be best. I dont and I pray that it doesn't come back to my other breast. I don't know I'm really scare.

What should I do?

Rosa, I understand your fears completely. I've been having a rough weekend of emotions up and down but I feel like we need to talk to our Doctors and make them help us better understand the process to make better decisions for us

Hi All, Thank you for being here! It means a lot to connect with others, share and learn, and find hope. I just found out last night, I have Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, stage 2. I know nothing else yet.Waiting on the receptor information, MRI Tuesday, then surgery, and an oncologist treatment plan. Pretty scarey... I just have to let things evolve one day at a time. Learn what I have, how serious, and best course of treatment. Does anyone else have ILC ? How are you doing?

Hi, this is one sisterhood I never wanted to join but so glad I found ya’ll. Diagnosed with DCIS and invasive DCIS, stage 2, Estrogen +. Don’t have an appointment to talk to a surgeon until the 16th and oncology not until the 27th. Hate waiting as like most of you I want answers now. Lots of prayers happening to get through each day. I am trying to find naturopathic remedies to help strength my body for the journey ahead. If you have any to share or just words of wisdom, I am open to hearing them.

I was diagnosed with DCIS stage 0 last December. My cancer surgeon is going to have me get a breast MRI and then test my cancer after the double lumpectomy to see if I need radiation or not.

And how do you feel after the 46 radiation treatments?

Hello everyone. I was recently diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer on December 13th, 2024. I had to get a BRCA gene test because 2 of my sisters had breast cancer as well. Both are survivors, thank God. My partial mastectomy is this Friday. I'm not scared because I trust God is with me. Trusting my test will come back negative. Keeping the faith. Walking by faith, not by sight. Dr's use the medicine, but God is the healer. Prayers of recovery and healing to all.!!!!

I just got the same recommendation yesterday. Stuff just got real. I have no qualms about radiation, more than willing to give it a go. My husband was diagnosed 3 years ago with very aggressive Stage 4 prostate cancer that had already metastasized to 3 lymph nodes, so he underwent radiation before chemo to kill out as much as possible before tamoxifen chemo. The reason being to stop the free flow of cancer cells from the lymph system. We believe the radiation gave him a lot of extra time (3 yrs vs. the original estimate of 3-6 months) but each person must do what feels right to them. Good luck to you, praying for full recovery for you.

I spoke extensively with my radiation oncologist for 3 hours, he convinced me to do the radiation. He showed me it can come back in scar tissue years later so radiation is what's best in my opinion. He sat with me and calmed my fears. Y'all are all warriors and have you all in my thoughts and prayers.

They’re always going to recommend radiation and AIs. I have Stage 1, estrogen/progrsterine +, HER-, no lymph node involvement and they have recommended radiation and AIs. My Mammoprint is low. All other scores low. I’ll do radiation but no AIs.

If unsure about radiation, travel to a larger medical facility with a breast specialist and get a second opinion Made an informed decision

What is Als ?

AI's are aromatase inhibitors. Anti hormonal therapy drugs.

I have the same diagnosis and lumpectomy the same. Two weeks ago. Meeting with the first oncologist next week. Hope you were able to navigate a path. This is all confusing.

I met with the radiation oncologist who told me that based on my situation it’s MY decision. No radiation, full breast radiation, or partial radiation. Lumpectomy. DCIS stage 0 grade 2. I think I need an advanced degree to decide. Concerned about the future.

I was diagnosed with DCIS Stage 0 in December. I also had a lumpectomy. My cancer surgeon said I would also do radiation after my surgery but they found more cancer. So I'm getting a masectomy to avoid having more cancer and possibly radiation