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Risk of breast radiotherapy causing a future cancer

really_scared

I know there’s a risk, and that it’s very small, and that the benefits of having RT on my breast cancer outweigh the possible future risk of the RT causing a future cancer.

I’ve googled and clicked link after link. But nowhere can I find what ‘very small’ risk is actually likely to mean.

So, in general for breast cancer, and in broad terms what does it mean, would it be close to 1 in 100? 1 in 1,000? 1 in 5,000? etc.

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    Hello lovely 

    yes there’s deffo a risk I was told this about chemo too that chemo causes further cancers it’s scary isn’t it , I decided to have radiotherapy in the end but was doubted lots with chemo I was lucky I didn’t need it afterwards xx I’m not sure of the risk percentage though xx love Lara x 

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    Hi really scared, I too was very cautious about the radiotherapy . I decided to give it a try, oncologist assured me to be very precise & chose to give a larger dose over a short period of time. I have seen little side effect to the skin of breast but I now feel tired lacking energy. I do take vitamin B12. Think I have overdone walking & trying to cycle . I end up exhausted so must do less for a while.best wishes 

  • Hello and thanks for posting,

    I can understand you asking, but I am not able to quantify what the small risk of developing a radiation induced cancer means in numbers.  

    Although most of the time this won't happen, after successful treatment for one primary cancer, it is unfortunately, possible to go on to develop a second primary cancer. This might be because of some sort of genetic susceptibility, lifestyle factors that increase the risk of developing cancer or the results of treatment. I think these different influencing factors might make it difficult to provide general statistics just about the risk of radiation induced cancer. In addition radiotherapy schedules tend to change over time and most radiation-related cancers are diagnosed after decades of radiation exposure, so previous studies may not accurately reflect the risk with current treatment.  

    The research papers that I have come accross look quite complex and are a bit tricky for me to interpret, so I think the best person to ask will be the clinical oncologist who will be overseeing your treatment if you decide to have it.  

    I am sorry not to be more helpful.

    If you want to talk anything over please do give us a call on Freephone 0808 800 4040 , we are around weekdays 9-5. 

    Wishing you the best,

    Julia

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    Hi,

    I think you might be referring to  'Radiation-Induced Angiosarcoma of the Breast'. Incident rates vary from 0.05 to 0.3%. So significantly less than 1 person in 100. Like you say, having the radiation does outweigh the risks. Hope this helps.

    X

  • in reply to Fleur098

    Thank you! That’s exactly what I wanted to know. xx

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