Hi I've been diagnosed 2 wks ago with stage 1 breast cancer.had a biopsy gets results next Tuesday. Wondering if anyone had any radiotherapy with stage 1 or just the op.interested to know what's to come next.
First, sorry that you find yourself here, the place none of us wanted to come to - but.... what an amazing bunch of people are here and so much knowledge between us all.
I had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy ...... I was concerned about the radiotherapy with any effects on my heart - as my operation was for my left side. I found a treatment called #TARGIT IORT - this is a 'combined operation' where the lumpectomy/wide local incision is carried out and directly after operation the radiotherapy is given in 'one does' - 'internally'. Then subject to clear margins, etc "that's it" all done!!
There are certain conditions to having this treatment, I think the main one is; it has to be 'one lump' and you might have to travel to hospital as there are only a handful of hospitals that carry this treatment - there should be more but, for various reasons its a treatment that hardly ever gets mentioned (I believe radiologists are against this 'one-off' treatment, believing it would/could make them loose there jobs)..... I believe by law you are suppose to be told about 'every' type of treatment available - sadly, this isn't the case and with how we jump onto this rollercoaster of a ride many of us are in that much shock we go with that we are told and most won't ask questions. (I only found about TARGIT IORT by accident, whilst searching Deep Breath Hold Radiotherapy).
When I had my operation this treatment was not available on the NHS - it was in its final stages of being approved by NICE. Thankfully, now, this treatment is available on the NHS - if you can get the Consultants to put you forward for it.... it takes courage to pursue this because we are already in such a vulnerable situation.
There are many ladies on here that have had the operation followed by the daily radiotherapy and I am sure some will be along to tell you about their journey.
Below is a link to the TARGIT IORT site and I have also put a link up to the 'AWAKE' thread - where many going both night and day for general chit chat and advise, questions, worries, anything and everything is talked about in there.
I think the standard is if you have a lumpectomy, you are generally given radiotherapy (as risk of recurrence is reduced to that of a mastectomy). I seem to remember them telling me this is standard for anyone under 70.
They have been compressing radiotherapy timelines over the past few years which means that they give you the same radiation over fewer sessions. I had 5 days whole breast and 5 days 'booster' which was to the lump site itself. I think it used to be more like 4 or 5 weeks.
I found radiotherapy pretty straightforward and wasn't that tired with it - I was still recovering from chemo so didn't notice a big difference. I worked full time throughout radiotherapy, I asked them to give me afternoon sessions so I could fit work in too.
Mine was stage 2 but I would have thought it's the same for stage 1. Radiotherapy is to kill any cancer cells that may be in the rest of your breast.
Good luck with your results and your treatment. Have you had it confirmed yet what type of cancer it is? They tailor treatment to your specific cancer so you may be offered other treatment on top.
I'm on hormone therapy for 5 years as mine was hormone positive.
