Decision time

Hi Ruby, I had lumpectomy July 2025, 9 radiotherapy September 2025 and have been fine all through it. Was driving all through radiotherapy and part from slight fatigue have been great. I had TNBC, but refused chemo after discussion with oncologist, but can’t take any medication for this type of cancer.

Not sure why you want to omit radiotherapy, but if it was because of side effects I wanted to say I had none apart from slight swelling which I think was more to do with lumpectomy.

Each decision is a personal choice so good luck whatever you choose to do.

Thank you for replying.  Very helpful.  I had estrogen positive breast cancer, very low grade.  The radiologist said that I am safe to omit radiotherapy if I continue to take the hormone therapy ( which has no side effects for me).  My choice is not because of radiotherapy side effects more that if cancer ever comes back on that side, I can choose radiotherapy then ( as one can never have it twice on the same side).  

I am nearly 70
I have had 5 days of RT recently. I considered my options very carefully and decided to go with it as the "score" for the likely reduction in recurrence rate ffor RT for my individual case was significant. I felt that it was worthwhile having it to hopefully "mop up" any rogue cancer cells that might be floating around even after my chemo. I had no ill effects from RT apart from a tiny bit of soreness, and short term fatigue. I had had a successful mastectomy, clear margins and no lymph node involvement, but the pathology revealed that I had had an invasive spread to the breast skin which elevates the risk factor for recurrence. I feel I made the right decision in my circumstances.

Have you looked at the NHS "Predict" tool to assess what benefit RT might give you Ruby?

 I have recently turned down another treatment option after weighing up the potential small potential benefit against the risk of some rather nasty side effects. Just because you are eligible for a particular therapy doesn't mean you have to take it, but they DO have to offer it. After I had made my decision and justified it to my Oncologist he told me that he thought I had made a good decision for my particular case. 

Good luck in deciding the way forward. For what it's worth (I'm no expert) I think your instincts are good on this one.