Well mine was on the left I had no nodes but did have triple neg cancer.I had 15 rads and no boosters-I am now absolutely terrified but then I’m always pretty terrified!If I had known all this I may not have had rads at all although I was told it would reduce the risk of recurrence which is more likey with tn.What are the stats re lung cancer and rads?Da***d if you do and dam**d if you dont as usual!
Love to allxx
Dear Flo 62, Was interested in your treatment, as my tumour was very similar, just under 2 cm ,no node involvement, but have had no chemo andam awaiting 3 weeks of radiotherapy. Reading these threads makes me very jittery and how little we are told by medics about REAL risks and consequences. It seems to me so much of it is about getting rid of the cancer understanderbly so, but so much is played down about stats, other effects. What is so good about this site is all the different imnormation and different treatments we all get. Why didn’t I have chemo when you did? My cancer was a grade 2 what was yours?
Please ladies,
Let’s get all this into perspective as this is becoming scaremongering to those who are about to start radiotherapy. There is always a small risk of secondary tumours caused by radiation. However the risk is very small and may well be exacerbated by other factors such as smoking. However, once we have had breast cancer, the risk of developing a recurrence is much higher than developing lung cancer therefore the benefits of radiotherapy outweigh the risks significantly.
I also am concerned by people comparing their treatment to those of others. Each and everyone of us are very different and treatment regimens are planned by taking many different factors into account. With all respect to you Leadie, your breast cancer may not be as similar to Flo62 as you think and treatment for her may not be what you need. I know medics get things wrong sometimes, but there is not a conspiracy to keep things from us. The vast majority are well read, well educated people who do their best for us using the best evidence and treatment options available. Please, please discuss your individual treatment options with your breast care team before making any radical decisions. I would also like to add that I think asking for a second or even third opinion is a very good move if you have any doubts about your treatment - but from another oncologist.
Want to challenge you on some of the stuff you have written anwen, I find your attitude quite condescending, I come from a holistic background and do not have faith in the medical model of treatment in the same way as you came across in your reply.
I have no intention of not having radiotherapy and do not find this stuff scaremongering, it is interesting hearing other peoples experiences on this site. I find your reply really somehow stops the debate by using a rather arrogant attitude.
Oh dear.
I didn’t mean to come across as arrogant or condescending and certainly don’t want to stop any debate, but am weary of hearing the cancer treatments being constantly questioned as though the doctors have some ulterior motive for doing so and are using cloak and dagger methods of hiding the truth from us. I think they do their best for us and let’s face it, without the medical model of medicine for use with cancer treatments, many of us would not survive. Holistic treatment has its place too but I have not much knowledge of its uses so cannot comment. Please do not feel offended by my comments, but I too am entitled to my say and if you feel I am still being arrogant, then I suggest you ignore me!
Well said anwen you have,I hope,stopped another interesting thread from turning into an irrelevant wrangle detween equally valid points of view.
I am due to start my rads on the 19th of January and have been very concerned over possible side effects. The onc said lung damage carried a 2% risk and as i had a left breast cancer there can be possible damage to the heart. However since he has been practicing from the late 80’s he has never come across heart damage.
When i had my rads planning the radiographer was brilliant,she spent a long time putting my mind at rest,and she did point out that surgery and rads is the normal measures used to fight cancer,more so than chemotherapy.
It plays an important part and she sees people a couple years down the line, back with a reoccurence,because they refused radiotherapy after being scared off.
I was warned of the (very tiny) risk of another cancer caused by rads, but oncologist also stated that she had only seen one such case in over 20 years of practice, and is almost unknown with more modern technology and processes. I’m not worried.
Interestingly, was also told to mention I’d had rads if I have a chest x-ray. There is a small chance of scarring of the lung, but in a mathematically precise straight line, which might startle a radiographer not accustomed to seeing a perfect straight-line lung scar on the x-ray. Finished rads just over a month ago: no side effects during or (so far) after. After six months of chemo it was a complete doddle.
Leadie, the best person to answer your questions is your oncologist. The helpline on here is also very good and very knowledgeable. But nobody on this thread can actually answer the specific question about why you didn’t have chemo when another forum member did. Only your medical team. If they’re any good they’ll be happy to answer.
Also: I don’t think it’s really fair to accuse people of stifling “debate”, when there has been only discussion, and a pretty friendly one at that! People should be able to have different opinions without being called arrogant or condescending.
Very reasoned post, Anwen.
I’m trying to decide whether to do RADs or not too. All I seem to have come across throughout chemo have been patients who are in hospital with secondaries (lung and bone), after having had RADs two or more years before.
It has worried me. Makes the treatment all seem pointless :(.
As my RADs are just a precaution I do wonder whether to take the risk.
I’ve been looking at the alternative of taking Natural Progesterone. Anyone got any comments on NP?
wrong post sorry
Hi Moonwolf!
Why is taking Natural Progesterone an alternative to radiotherapy? I thought that those with BC which is hormone receptive, should NEVER take hormonal supplements - because it’s the hormones which became over active and went wrong in the first place. It also puzzles me that people are so concerned about extremely rare side effects from rads, and yet never query the massive (& sometimes permanent) side effects from chemotherapy. I know a number of people with horrible ongoing effects from chemotherapy and no-one with any problems from rads after 20 years or more.
I had 15 rads plus 2 boosters last year following having DCIS and the Oncologist never said a word about the possibility of it producing further cancers. I had a CT scan at my planning appointment where my lung was shown to be slightly in the way of where thy wanted to irradiate. I was told that the rads could leave me with a permanent cough but thankfully there are no signs of that (I have one at the mo but just due to some kind person passing on their diabolical cold to me - LOL).
The Onc did say there was a risk of heart disease due to radiotherapy being to my left breast and, when I asked her to quantify it, she told me the rads would increase my chance of developing heart disease by 1% over the next 20 years. As the risk of getting an invasive cancer over the next 20 years was higher than 1%, I decided to go for it and have the rads.
Hi,I agree with redders,if your cancer was ER+ or PR+ you should not take any hormone suppliments.I had chemo and then 33 rads,and for me rads compared to chemo was a breeze,apart from the 3 buses there and back that I had to take every day for just over 5 weeks lol,the benefits to me by far outweigh the very small risks.And if the cancer returns I know that everything was done to try and keep it away,and I wont be saying what if I had,had this or that treatment.
love and best wishes Mell
Hi, I started to do some research after reading your comments. I was deg with DCIS grade 2 in a small area. I had surgery last month and due to start rads soon for 5 weeks. I am worried as it is my left breast. the thought of having heart problems and worst lung cancer is making me think is this worth it. I have been told that they are happy and confident that it has been cured so why rads I am now asking myself. Sorry for going on as my family will not understand the way I am thinking. Comments would be most welcome.
Kate
I have just finished 6 sessions of chemo, what a battle!! Only able now to get on line now. I read about the possibility of lung cancer from Rads on an american website, I don’t usually seek information as I tend to go with least information the better…my way of dealing with it, and I trust my consultants and doctors.
My bc said she had never heard of this and to be wary of research from non bono fide websites.
I am a bit anxious though as they have told me my rads will take in the top of my lung, just the tip 0.1% may cause a cough and slight breathlessness. I’m a smoker too and as much as I try I am not managing to stop, the more anxious I get the more I feel trapped in it. I had hoped to have stopped by now…ouch!!
Thought after my chemo I would be on a high…instead I am quite down, fatigue contributes to that too…any advice and support welcome. xx
Dear Moonwolf, if you want more information on natural progesterone, Dr John Lees book called what your doctor may not tell you about breast cancer will tell you a lot more. Can pick it up cheap on amazon
Best wishes
leadie