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maxis's avatar
maxis
Member
2 months ago

1st year mammogram

Last year I was diagnosed with early slow growing Dcis and had a 5mm mass and calcifications. I had a lumpectomy which came back with clear 5mm margins around my mass and 2mm clear margins with my calcifications which I was told is good margins. I was offered radiotherapy with the odds of my cancer re occurring after my lumpectomy being 90% chance of no re occurrence with just surgery or 96% chance of no re occurrence with radiotherapy . I chose to go with the 90%.

I was scared of having radio because there was a risk my lungs or heart could have been damaged by radio thats why I chose no radio.

I had my 1st mammogram 12 months on last week and calcifications are where my 5mm mass use to be. My surgeon told me today she feels its Dcis and I am going to have a different biopsy to last time I can't remember what she said apart from ill have an MRI I think and have the biopsy done somehow during the MRI.

She said if its Dcis ill have to have another lumpectomy and its recommended to have Radio after that. My other choice would be a mastectomy which wont involve radiotherapy afterwards.

So here I am with the same fear as last year, heart and lung damage after radio. Has anyone had heart or lung damage after radio in the past could you please share with me ?

biopsy

4 Replies

  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    2 months ago

    Sorry to see you joining us here, maxis​  .... but glad you found us.  That's pure bad luck that you may need more surgery & treatment xx.  Which breast is it? I am guessing Left (if you are concerned about heart damage with Rads?) 

    Make sure you record your meetings with your surgeon & other specialists, as it is really difficult to remember everything that is said and you don't have time to write it down, without missing the next bit!   That way, you can go over it again at home & take more detailed notes.  Also having a trusted friend with you, as a 2nd set of ears (and for support) - it really helps too.

    If you haven't had Rads before ..... it is not as scary as you think it may be ..... I was able to have mine lying face down, so there was less chance of the rays penetrating thru to the lungs & as it was the right side, nowhere near the heart.  It depends on how deep the lesion is, as to whether you can be treated face down.   

    Check out this thread for lots of info on the forum - and some 'tick sheets' re how you are going, post op & follow up treatments xx  
    A big welcome to all New Online Network Members ..... | BCNA Online Network

    take care & all the best

    • maxis's avatar
      maxis
      Member
      2 months ago

      Hi Arpie yes its my left breast and thank you for your advice and the links you provided. I will definitely record what every one says. My mass a year ago was at 12 o'clock and close to my chest wall. Thats where the calcifications are now.

      • arpie's avatar
        arpie
        Member
        2 months ago

        xx. If it is close to the chest wall, you are unlikely to be able to have your rads face down 😔   BUT ...  they are VERY PRECISE these days .... Mine was about 2 o'clock,  and was Lobular, so close to the nipple, hence able to have it face down.  My nipple was removed & the lesions (2) removed thru the hole, then the nipple sewn back on.
        Mine was the right breast tho & even tho not 'large breasted' (34) I was surprised when offered it, lying face down.  Worth asking about tho!  Who knows??

        Usually, specific breathing techniques are required if doing rads on the left breast .... and you will be guided on how best to do it. xx. My own diagnosis was that I did not HAVE to do radiation - but I didn't even like the 6% chance of recurrence, so went ahead with it.   I am about to finish up with my Medical Oncologist after 7 years - I finished with my Rad Onc 2 years ago.  It will be 'weird' not having that support 'on hand'.

        Write down any questions you may have - as it is so easy to forget stuff once you get in there .... I used to print off 2 copies - one for them & one for me. I'd tick off each one, as they were responded to, knowing I could go back over the recording if I needed to.

        All the best xx

         

  • maxis's avatar
    maxis
    Member
    2 months ago

    I just looked at the breast image request form the biopsy im having done is a stereotactic biopsy its done with a special mammogram machine.