Do I have to?????

Hi Jane,

I too asked the same question....again and again!

This is my understanding.....from my Radiation Oncoologists mouth......Radiation is used as a back up......it is done to mop up any microscopic cells not killed by chemo.....that's right chemo doesn;t necessarily wipe out all cells! (I was shocked at this too)...

.He explained to me that over many years trials have been done on BC patients....a group that only recieved chemo.....a group that only recieved rads and a group that recieved both......the success rate of cancer not returning was highest in the group that recieved both treatments...So form then on they applied both therapies to Breast Cancer patients.

He did explain that having radiotherapy can actually give you cancer, ....it can cause rib fractures....and damage other organs in the line of fire.....BUT the risks of these events even happening are so low, that the benefits far outweigh the risk.......

After much thought (and argument with my sister in law, who doesnt want me to have it, because of a bad experience with her sister in law) ...I have decided that radiotherapy as part of my treatmnet plan is paramount to ensure that I have done EVERYTHING possible for now to be rid of cancer.

It's OK to be scared, this whole thing is a nightmare...but trust that your team have consulted each other, had meetings to discuss your case and have your best interest at heart.

Hope this helps a little....

Wishing you all the best with your treatments........

Tracy

Hi Jane, like you I never wanted radiation.  After having a lumpectomy for IDC 3cm tumor +1 positive lymph node out of 14, then i had 4 x AC chemo, CT scan showed all clear I opted for DMX with immediate recon with implants and thought beauty this is now over.  Unfortunately for me during mastectomy they found a microscopic cell on same left boob so only choice was to have radiation.  I had 5 weeks (x25) but let me tell you the only uncomfortable thing was having my left arm above my head it would get numb and thats because of lymph nodes and the operation I had.  Like others have mentioned I had the mepitel as well but in saying that I did get a burn on my back and under the armpit.  2 months now and all is great, skin looks good, implant has not been affected and hoping that this is it for me now.  Radiation actually was a breeze compared to chemo and I actually didn't feel any fatigue.

Wishing you all the best!!!!

Thank you Jane

2nd one done and dusted and this one was heaps heaps heaps faster... so hoping this continues ??

Hugs

Jel.

Thank you ??

I have massive allergies to most adhesives so if this is a film to apply for extended periods of time not likely my body would tollerate it. This must be the reason why nobody mentioned it to me - guss not an option for me ??

Jel.

That is interesting, and encouraging thanks Alice, to know that you came through it  unscathed from a bone point of view. Thanks!

Interesting to hear of your first experience of radio. It's amazing how far reaching the consequences of allergies are. Good luck with the rest. Jane

Hi Jel.  So sorry to only be answering this now, I had a crazy time.  Hope someone has explained Mepitel film to you in my absence.  Just ask your radiation dr when you go to them, they will be able to tell you all about how it works.  You don't need any creams while having radiation cause the film does not get removed during the time of treatment.  Hope all is going well for you.

They really are valid views, radiation is so much easier I found than Chemo hands down. When I had radio 5yrs ago, coupled with a lumpectomy and 4yrs of tamoxifen that was aggressive treatment so they said for DCIS. But I had a recurrence at 4yrs??? inspite of all that?? For me Chemo was a much harder choice to make to do, not that I really had a choice. Everyone is different, I just found the entire radiation treatment so much better to deal with than chemo. 

I remember my Oncologist saying to me after I completed Chemo, that as Id had radiation, chemo was only option left and Arimidex was basically putting a stop on the door, the cream on the treatment so to speak, to stop it returning. I guess we are guided by them, the professionals, it doesnt make our decisions any easier.

Just when I thought mine was all behind me, I am now pushed for a mastectomy to safeguard myself. After 5yrs and 2 lots of Breast Cancer I havent been able to face another thing to do with it all...mentally it all caught up. So a decision will be made in October it seems. Its not something I want to do, but feel its my last option of eradicating it for good now. Thats the only reason I want the surgery done and so I can move on. 

None of it is easy, no matter our journeys, but its lovely to have a place to come and chat.

Hugs

Melinda 

Good point Jane.  I think you should stop thinking, it does your head in hey.  Cause you are right - why???  Made me think,  after chemo & radio they still said I had a 60% chance of reoccurence, unless I completed the hercepton, which then reduced it to 30%.  So hercepton is systemic too I suppose - why not just chemo and hercepton??  

Because they don't know ... ,  they throw everything at it once its reached the nodes, and they don't know why it works with some and not others.   New drugs come along and they add to the old (when chemo is a part of history I think it will be a cause for celebration), but then who really wants to go in a trial to not have one of the treatments, only to find the trial is a failure.  So you are probably asking a question thats not answerable currently.  They are just doing the best they can.

Pam

Thank you for the advice.Alice ??

Will keep cold.compresses in mind for sure. The way I am looking at it is treat is as a nad burn and.cannot go.wrong - besides (as you said) after 'having fun' with AC Chemo for months I am sure I can do this one ??

Jel.