Radiotherapy option

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Hi everyone, I'm new to this. Diagnosed with lobular breast cancer 4 months ago and have had the lumpectomy with success. Commenced on Tamoxifen and no side effects apart from sweats. I feel I have been very lucky, brilliant NHS service, and so pleased at how quickly I was seen to. I feel I "sailed through" and now just the last phase, the radiotherapy. However, I had oncology appointment yesterday and thought this would be me given a date for radiotherapy. However I was kind of shocked to be given the option of whether I wanted it or not. The cancer was small 11mm and I am on tamoxifen for 5 years now. I came out of the appointment in a daze . I really do not know what to do for the best. The doctor went through the possible side effects of radiotherapy, and as I have big boobs anyway, I worry if I'm going to be left with an even bigger boob, but yet, am I denying myself the certainty of it not reoccurring. I wish I had not been given the option. For the first time in these 4 months, I am in turmoil..

Irishgirl16 over 3 years ago

Hi, so sorry to hear you have been left confused. I have had chemo and surgery and due to have radiotherapy in October. I agree I don't like it when I am given a choice…..I am not an expert in this. I was asked which op I preferred (lumpectomy or mammoplasty) and I would rather just have been told which is best. But we are all different and some people like to be more in control of their choices. For me personally, I would take everything possible to prevent a recurrence. Good luck with your choices.

Thirds over 3 years ago

Hello Epat. I am in a similar situation to you in that I have had a lumpectomy and a second operation as there were some cells remaining. I also had an auxiliary node clearance as two were positive. I will see the oncologist on 7th September to discuss radio or chemotherapy or maybe both. I really don't want it to come back so I will listen to what the oncologist advises but I think I will go with whatever is offered. It is a difficult choice isn't it? Hope you make a choice that leaves you feeling comfortable. Good luck.

Beatthebreast over 3 years ago

I hate being given a choice of treatment too! However, for me, I wanted to take absolutely everything they threw at me to make sure I had the best chance of it not coming back.

I was given a choice of hormone therapy - either tamoxifen or zoladex injections and exemestane. I then asked a lot of questions about which had a better outcome and conclusion was that for my age group (mid 40s), although there was no difference n long term mortality rates, the zoladex option had less BC recurrence, so I went with that.

If you haven't already, I'd try and have a chat through to see what benefits radiotherapy gives you. My understanding is that radiotherapy is routine for anyone under 70 as it is as good as a mastectomy (lumpectomy plus radiotherapy) for reducing risk of local recurrence.

Only you can decide in the end but for what it is worth, I would have taken the radiotherapy anyway if I'd been given a choice, and I had chemo to shrink it before surgery and my cancer was grade 1 with no lymph node involvement.

FormerMember over 3 years ago in reply to Irishgirl16

Where can I find your blog?

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Radiotherapy option