I had a meeting today with the Consultant Radiologist, I was expecting to go for 5 weeks of rads every day as that seems the norm, I was offered either the 5 weeks or 3 weeks, or 3 weeks with 8 ‘blasting’ sessions which is a stronger treatment for 8 days after the normal course.
I think after talking it through I will go for the three weeks then the 8 days of increased dose ‘blasting’ has any one else been offered this? She said there was an age limit of about 50 for this treatment.
HI Sheila,
I had 3 wks of rads, then 3 booster sessions. I’m nearly 52 but they never mentioned age when planning my treatment. I finished on 3rd Dec. By the end of the 3wks I had soreness under the breast which has now cleared. This is not unusual in large breasted women so I’m told. In the last couple of days I’ve developed a red patch where the booster sessions were targeted, this is manageable with aqueous cream. I would recommend you start using this as soon as possible to prepare your skin for rads.
Good luck with your treatments.
Caz x
Hi Caz.
Thanks for your reply, I guess it’s the same as the Chemo in the way that everyone’s treatment’s are individual, I will be starting the rads in early March, I’ve bought the aqueous cream today and planned to start using it about a month before the rads. I too will be 52 next birthday, the consultant did say the 50 age was more of a guide,
I guess you are glad to have finished your treatments and can look forward to getting back to a more normal life, well done! I’ll be there one day…4 Epirubicins and 1 CMF down, only 3 CMF’s left…2 after Tuesday!!
Sheila xxx
Hi Sheila
I had 25 rads and 2 boosters - even though very fair skinned and burn if I even look at the sun, I had no problems. I was 59 yrs when having rads, and no-one mentioned my age. This was 4 yrs ago and perhaps treatment protocols have changed since then. Why such a long time before starting rads? I only waited a couple of months after chemo and this was because I need in-patient treatment for Crohn’s.
Liz.
Hi Sheila
Yes I’m glad my treatments has finished. Now I’m looking forward to Xmas, and hopefully a much happier New Year.
Good luck with the rest of your treatments.
Liz nice to hear from someone 4yrs post dx, hope your keeping well.
Best wishes
Caz x
Hi Liz,
Sorry, I am still only on my 2nd course of CMF, I have another two to go yet before the rads, I start my last CMF on the 13th Feb, seems a long way away…
Sheila x
I had my planning on Thursday and was told I could only have 15 sessions. Throughout my treatment the Onc. has said that I would have 25 as cancer in 21 of 24 nodes and in tissue surrounding nodes so I would have maximum treatment. Radiographer said new protocol said only 15 allowed as advantag of extra sessions was nominal. Not sure if this is Health Trust decision (money very tight) or national. They tried to put spin on it saying it was to my advantage as would only have to travel 15 times but being cynical am sure money is at the root of the decision.
Hoping for a better and healthier 2008 for everyone.
Val
Hi Val
I was originally told that I would have 25 rads, but when I saw onc consultant he said I only needed 15 and the dose would be the same. Don’t know if this helps or not.
Heather
When i had rads 2 years ago i had 15. When i asked why some hospitals gave 25 I was told I would have the same total dose but in larger fractions.
Kelley
I’m currently in the middle of radiotherapy… I’ve had 12 out of 29… the first 25 are treating the whole breast, then the final 4 are to be targetted on the wound where the lump was removed. Others I speak to in the waiting areas, seem to be either 25 or 29 for treatment of breast cancer. I asked the radiologists what was the most and evidently it’s about 6 weeks, but that it depends on a number of factors, e.g. lumpectomny or masectomy, what grade the tumour was, etc…
AliS
If I recall correctly, my consultant said standard dose was 25 zaps (50 greys a time?) and anything more than that was boosters, which they might give if the chemo was not wholly successful (eg tumour may have reduced but not totally disappeared). I *think* he also said women might be given less than 25 if they had smallish breasts.
I’m large with good chemo response so I’m getting 25.
mousy