Hi @AmandaTR - I have had a recent similar experience to you diagnosis & treatment wise. Stage 1, lumpectomy with clear margins, 3 weeks of radiation. I read the info regarding possible side effects around heart/lung/ribs also. But you are taught to hold your breath while the radiation is delivered to reduce the risk. They can also apparently "bend" the radiation around your body to better target only the areas they want to treat, thus reducing the risk of heart/lung damage. I was told because of my relative young age (47) that's why I would have the radiation to give me the best chance of making sure the cancer was gone before starting hormones. I had great specialists and so they gave me great information, but I also read the resources given to me, and the cancer council website I found very helpful. I'm almost 5 weeks since finishing the radiation - my skin has basically returned to normal colour, and my radiation oncologist doesn't need to see me again (nicest breakup I've been through). I've just started Tamoxifen on Thursday, and to be honest, it's the part I'm most concerned about side effects wise. Am hoping that I can avoid as many of the side effects as possible, but we'll see. Best of luck with your treatment.
