Prime 2 study Radiotherapy

Typo ‘advised ‘. Not advisory.

Hello 456,  I understand how you feel as it is difficult to have to chose.  I was diagnosed with bilateral BC at 72.  DCIS in right one snd stage 1 grade 2 in the left.  No chemo but radiation was recommended as I am in good health.  So after much thought as I was not a fan I did it.  Had 16 treatments to both breasts and an extra boost of 5 to the right tumor bed.  
My breasts are small so anything that can help to prevent a reoccurrence is a plus because with a 34A couldn’t do another lumpectomy.  
I am glad that I did the radiation after all but every one has a different situation.  Some women with larger breasts may opt to not do radiation and if the cancer returns have another lumpectomy and then the radiation at that time.  
Can I ask you why you are on tamoxifen and not an aromatase inhibitor since you are menopausal?  
Take care.

Barbara 

Hi  Barbara

Thanks for replying.  May I ask, were you estrogen positive ?  

I was offered choice to accept radiotherapy or just do estrogen therapy.  I’m on Tamoxifen because I have osteoporosis.  Having said that, I’ve partially reversed it with weightlifting and jogging.  Onc said 50% patients with my pathology accept and 50% just do hormone therapy.

Apart from s/e’s of radiotherapy, I’m worried if I get a recurrence I would then need a mastectomy.  I’m not that large. I was 32D last time measured, but surgeon said I was small.  They can’t operate on a radiated breast, but it’s possible on a non radiated one.

I’m due to have 5 sessions of Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation.

Were you diagnosed recently? After the Prime study?

Yes I was ER positive 100%.  I had whole breast radiation as that is what surgeon and radiation oncologist decided was best for my small breasts.  The results from the study looked good but the 10 year results were not evaluated yet but I did have the option but chose the 3 week version.  
I was diagnosed in September 2021 and finished radiation in May 2022.  
I live in Florida so had good access to specialists too.  My radiation oncologist was on staff at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa so very up to date. 
So far no side effects and I started breast massage 3 weeks after my radiation was finished snd my breasts are not lumpy and feel natural.  I think since I had BC in both breasts I wanted to have the best chance of it not returning.  
You will make the right decision for you.  I did not have any osteoporosis and I was 73 at my last Dexa scan.  I took HRT for years so no osteoporosis but BC.  
Barbara

Hi 456 

I too have osteoporosis (in my spine only) but was not offered tamoxifen only anastrozole which is interesting. It did mean I had to finally start bisphosphonates which I had been putting off but after a false start with alendronic acid which gave me digestive issues I'm now on risedronic without any issue although plan to stop once I get to my completed 5 years...only another 3.5 to go .....!

Hi Barbara

I didn’t take HRT, but didn’t have menopause till 57. Osteoporosis diagnosed at 61. Assume my breast cancer was due to late menopause, but don’t know how I got osteoporosis!

Hi Jurassic girl

Yes, my surgeon obviously saw my Osteoporosis in my records. I didn’t take bisphosphonates, but got better improvement without drugs.  Tamoxifen is risky though, due to uterine cancer possibility.

I was diagnosed with Breast cancer last August at the age of 74. It was Stage 1, Grade 2 and 8/8 ER positive. I had lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy. Clear margins and clear lymph nodes. I was borderline for radiotherapy but decided to go for it, five sessions. I was put on Anestrozole for five years. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2019 so I was already on biophosphates. I started on Alendronic Acid but it didn’t suit me but have been on Ibandronic Acid for nearly three years.

Hi Evajean

How did you cope with radiotherapy?  Any bad side effects?

I had the same pathology as you . Also 8/8.

There is a quick drop in estrogen once menopause sets in and the bone loss begins.  Estimated women lose 10% of their bone mass in first 5 years after menopause.  So unfair.  
The medical oncologist told my bones should be fine during Anastrazole as the hrt had my bones in good shape.  But I am of slight build and my Mim had it so hope I can dodge the bullet on that one. 
Barbara