Has Anyone Skipped Radiation Treatment After Breast Cancer Surgery?

I am currently in the same boat. I have decided to have the tubular dna testing and a complete scan. I’m going to use those results to determine my decision. Prayers for you and your family! You got this no matter what you decide to do!

I was in the same boat; however, decided to do radiation

I have to do Proton therapy since I had radiation in the same area the last 2 times..

I had my lumpectomy March 5 and 4 lymph nodes removed . Surgery went very well. All margins were clear and lymph nodes were all clear margins and recovery was not bad at all. I am so glad I went with a lumpectomy .I am an older person( 66 ) and I don't think i will be taking Radiation I am still weak and my appetite has not returned like it should .Does anyone on this forum know any type of medication that will increase your Appetite .Praying for all on this forum that everything will be ok.

Mary, did you do chemo?

Has anyone taken Xeloda? Any issues?

Yes I did chemo from August to January2024 I had to stop on February 2024 because of side effects and in March of 2024 Surgery went well. but now for about Weeks I have no appetite and feel weak ,I will be going to Hospital tomorrow ,but I still don't plan to take radiation I will be 68 this year, I know I said i was 66 on earlier post but i am 67 now. My surgeon said the chemo did what it was supposed to do and got all my cancer cells out of my Breast .Thank you God for seeing me thru this journal I am praying for you Carol and everyone else on this forum.

I wish you the best Mary. I’m starting chemo on April 24th and I am 76. Would love to take my chances and not do chemo. I hard open heart surgery 4 years ago and I’m scared.

AK I am in the same boat in terms of treatment received and outcome. I did do RADS even though I struggled greatly with the decision. I was 45 at diagnosis and finished treatment this past Dec. These decisions are so difficult and individual.

I’m not sure if I’m grateful for having radiation or not. I was just diagnosed with right heart failure. While the cardiologist and pulmonologist said heart was fine prior to treatment it is in right heart failure after treatment based on comparing echocardiograms prior and post. I’m getting a second cardiology opinion because both medical oncologist (whose judgment I trust completely) and radiation oncologist disagree. I had left breast cancer which means I had to breathe in tube during radiation and hold breathe to allow as much separation from cancer site and heart which radiation machine zapped. I’m not convinced this tube exercise created enough separation for me.

I plan on skipping rads & I’m stage 4. I’ve been through enough.. getting burnt to a crisp isn’t the finale

Praying for all on this forum, find out the reason I was so weak and had problems walking and no appetite just an all around sick feeling couldn't get out of bed some days, After my surgery which was done by a phenomenal surgeon she did an excellent job . I had a lumpectomy and I am grateful that she got all cancer cell margins out and they were clean margins but I did have to go back to hospital about month after surgery and they found out I had adrenal insufficiency that is while I was so weak and sick was put on predisone for 10 days and now taking hydrocortisone and feeling so much better. That's why I didn't do radiation after surgery I was simply too weak and at my age I decided to not take radiation. I would not advise anyone to not take radiation but at the time I was too weak and felt there was I could go everyday for radiation.

I got Addisons Disease from Keytruda. I had an attack when my last two cycles were coming up. They had to stop chemo because I went into shock due to Addisons. On hydrocortisone daily now for 1 1/2 years. If I miss meds, I'm bedridden. Sun light is dangerous. Anything that stresses your body. I had radiation due to previous breast cancer and stopping chemo. I would always go that route any time. Yes. I was very weak.

I too, got Addison‘s disease after my last round of chemo and taking Keytruda.. I lost considerable weight with repeated diarrhea before hospitalized and diagnosed with sepsis before they finally diagnosed me with Addison’s. I too am taking hydrocortisone medication. I’m not sure for how long but I Hope my adrenal glands start working again. 

Hi Betty. Sounds familiar. I started losing weight about 6 months after radiation. 25 lbs now and keep losing. Diarrhea is a few times a week. I have no taste. Still have some sense of smell. I am a chef in my profession. I'm amazed how my olfactory system has compensated for the loss of taste. Hang in there. We are still gifted life. Heal. Lovely sharing. ❤️ Nanci

Prayers to each of you- AK- diagnosed TNBC last year age 56, had lumpectomy first then chemo- declined radiation. Logic took over- nothing to radiate- tumor out and margins clear. Tracking well so far Aug will be 1 yr since last chemo. it’s constant decision making what works for you!

K B hello and hope you are feeling well and prayers to you as well . I was also thinking tumor out and all margins were clear even in my lymph nodes so I decided not to do radiation and I was so sick after surgery not due to surgery but had Adrenal Insufficiency and didn't know it until I went in Duke Hospital and found out that's why I couldn't eat so weak couldn't walk without assistance and I decided Hey if surgeon said she she got small tumor out and saw no cancer in my lymph node under arm and all margins clear what was there to radiate . I pray that I will stay Cancer Free .

Hi Mary! I am brand new to this group- I understand TNBC is aggressive so I am being watchful- it 100% strength yet, having fog, and twice depressed- which never experienced in my life! Other than trying to adjust to new me I count my blessings! I have my OBGYN doing Manila breast exam twice yr, blood work and diagnostic mammograms twice a year and altering so someone is checking g every three months. Strange radiation is a trigger but we need to get scans?! I hope you are feeling better- I have found using my PA as a holistic advocate I feel confident in decision making with her! Hope you have the same!

Mary, periactin is a great appetite stimulant. It's an old antihistamine it has been around for a long time

Michelle L Thank You for the information , I will give it a try.My appetite has improved some after I got on medication for Adrenal Insufficiency ,Hydrocortisone but I appreciate this information also. God Bless all on this Forum.

Treatment decisions after breast cancer surgery can feel overwhelming, especially when weighing the benefits and risks of additional therapies. Many patients in this community have faced similar crossroads and understand the complexity of these choices. Consider discussing your concerns about radiation with your oncology team or seeking a second opinion to help you feel more confident in whatever path feels right for your situation.