Hi
In April I was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. Invasive ductal and lobular in the left and DCIS in the right. I had bilateral WLE in MAY the left was removed fine but they have failed to get good margins on the Right side. Had a second WLE in July which was also unsuccessful having a third WLE tomorrow. I have now been told that I will definitely need radiotherapy to both sides once surgery is finally completed.
Has anyone else had this. Is this worse than single sided or are the side effects worse? Its all so unknown that I am starting to freak about the prospect.
Sharon
Hi roxygirl,
Sorry you haven’t had any replies to your questions so far, but if you need to talk to someone then our freefone helpline will be open again tomorrow morning at 9am (Mon-Fri 9-5 and Sat 10-2)
Take care,
Jo, Moderator
Hello Sharon,
I am sorry that you find yourself in this situation. I had breast cancer in 2009 in the left breast and then in 2012 in the right breast, I had rads to my left breast. I did not in the end have rads to the right because I had had a reconstruction and the risks of damage to the reconstruction weighed against the benefits of the radiation, eps as I was having chemo in any event (my lymph nodes were involved).
As I am sure you are finding out, we are all unique and our treatments will be tailored to our needs. It sounds as though they are trying to undertake conservative surgery. If you are concerned about risks, ask questions-maybe ring the Helpline as they can through issues/questions to ask.
Good luck, Rattles x
Hi Sharon I had rads to both sides at the same time everyday for 3 wks (weekends off) and I was told the side effects are the same as If it was just one side. I didn’t suffer to badly with the side effects the hardest part for me was the position they put you in as i had recon the previous month and everything was a bit stiff. The good thing is they can also ease the side effects so tell them if you are suffering. I hope everything works out ok. Take care x
I had bilateral RT after bilateral WLEs and some nodes out on the right. It was absolutely fine, I did get tired but decided I wasn’t going to do anything but travel to the RT centre, eat well, slather on the aqueous cream and sleep.
The only difficulty was after RT - I had to fight very hard to get corrective surgery to even up my boobs because suddenly I was told ‘we don’t do corrective surgery to irradiated breast tissue’ in spite of being told for 12 months that they could put things right once all treatment was completed. So if you think you will need some correction, get your clinic to give you a definate answer and don’t be fobbed off with the’well, we can review this once you’ve had the RT’.
I know getting rid of the cancer is the main focus just now, but do talk to your nurse/oncologist about this issue so you are clear in your own mind what the future holds.
All the very best
Grumpy