Why radiation therapy

Thank you x

Always ask why.
There is no reason not to ask.
You need to understand what treatment will achieve for you and why it is being done in the order it is.
Never feel you cannot ask, your team will be happy to answer you and make sure you understand what is happening.

Thats what i thought too @adean but i had radiation for dcis after a major lumpectomy and had a recurrence in the same spot at the 4yr mark. They dont know why and was also on tamoxifen 4yrs. No rhyme or reason but we do everything recommended, i stopped beating myself trying to understand why. 

I'm a bit worried as to why I'm doing chemo then radiation then bilateral and reco with diep.  Why the radiation before the surgery has got me concerned. Going to ask my Onc next week. They've probably all told me but all too much. :(

Radiation mops up the microscopic cancer cells that may be left but cannot be seen , honestly I did it and I would do it again for me it's 5 years ago , it's an xtra and I say any extra that stops the cancer coming back is a bonus

Thanks so much for the replies. That has been really helpful. I know That the pathology results are critical, but just needed to talk about it with others who have been through it. Really appreciate your replies. xxx

@Maldon I was hoping not to have radiation. A single statement stopped any thoughts of that. The radiologist oncologist said if I had radiation it would reduce my chances of recurrence of bc by 70 percent . Who would say no to that. So wait
and see .  Everything is usually based on pathology reports.

@Maldon welcome to you!

In 2011 I had radiation treatment, I didn't have a lump at all, I had DCIS and went onto Tamoxifen for 4yrs. I did unfortunately have a recurrence 2015. My lumpectomy was breast conserving as am big breasted, clear margins. My recurrence was 2.5cm IDC Stage 2 Grade 3 aggressive, so I had to have chemo, no radiation as cant have it twice and another lumpectomy. A year after finishing I had a single mastectomy/diep flap reconstruction at their recommendation to avoid another recurrence. 

The thing is, its not about how big your lump is, what's important is the pathology. Depending on that determines whether it's aggressive or not, early or later stage. No way of knowing without those results. 

Not everyone requires radiation or chemo, some just surgery, lumpectomy or mastectomy. Try and hang in there, theres no way to speculate, once you have it all together you will have a very informed decision. 

Melinda xo

Hi maldon  sorry you have joIned us ......as all path results are not in it is difficult to provide comment.....treatment protocols will be determined by the reults..some of us will fit the general protocols others more individual tumour specific when related to lymph node positive  diagnosis. All the best for next week.Bright