Hi Ali

I didn't have surgery but when I was diagnosed they said that radiotherapy is not always needed and so I guess for you, because they are confident they have removed it all they don't want to treat you with something that is not really needed and has its own side effects.

Hope you continue to recover well.

Suzanne

Hi Suzanne,

Thanks for replying. 
I spoke to both my BC nurse and the Radiotherapy doctor today. She was mortified that she hadn't explained the reasons why although I assured her that I am all over the place at the moment. She advised that due to my type that as it is small and surgeon removed all,  the benefits of radiotherapy would be very low anyway as opposed to the side effects, particularly long term ones. She said it is not always offered but rather discussed and in my case the team thought it was unnecessary.

I will, of course, have yearly checks so fingers crossed!!

Hope ur ok!

Ali

Oh I'm really pleased to hear that they have now explained it to you, it's so much to take in and it's good to have someone to talk to to follow up when you think of questions.
It is fabulous news that they got the bad stuff out and you don't need anything else except the annual check.

Best wishes for the future!

Suzanne

Hi Ali

do you mind me asking if you are still happy with the decision you made not to have radiotherapy . 
I have just had surgery for DCIS - inerrmediate. The op went well - the oncologist has given me the choice of whether I want radiotherapy or not - as it will lower the risk of it returning, but the risk without radiotherapy is still pretty low (9% within 5yrs, 15% within 10yrs).

I'm in a real quandary what to do, as I don't want it to return obviously but also worried about long term side effects of radio therapy! I've been super positive & strong up to now - but this has really thrown me.

Rebecca 

Hi [@Rebecca7]‍ 

Making decisions at this point in your journey is very difficult, you are in such a whirlwind of things happening almost around you and decisions being made in your best interest, then all of a sudden you are asked to make a decision and the cotton wool head suddenly thinks or doesn't think what is the best course of action to take.

I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, although in surgery they did also find DCIS, the doctors recommended me to be on Tamoxifen and to have Radiotherapy, I chose not to. My surgery was September 20, so I am a year on from those decisions I made and I have no regrets on my decision.

This is the point when as long as you have been given all the information and statistics based on your diagnoses that you can make a decision based on how it will affect your life short term and long term. 

I hope that they have given you a bit of time to let the information all sink in and for you to make a decision that suits you. No decision is wrong, everyone is different in the types of cancers etc, so take a day as yes I will have radiotherapy and see how that sits with you, take another day as a no I don't want radiotherapy, and see how that sits.... I did think very hard over my decisions and weighed up how it was going to affect me.

Good Luck x

Hi Kay-D 

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, what you have said really helps & knowing  you made that decision & have no regrets reassures me. I have already said I don't want to go on tamoxifen, & the Oncologist agrees for me, it would not give me sufficient benefits.
I have a  couple of weeks to decide, (as I'm waiting on genetic test results)  and I know I currently have a 91% chance of it not returning, which are pretty good odds!! 

thanks again

Rebecca

Hi Rebecca,

Sorry I took so long to answer. 
Yes I am still happy with my decision not to have radiotherapy. After a lengthy talk with the doctor she advised me that as my area was under 2 cm and I had really good clear margins then I didn't need it. In my case it was left breast as well which can be more awkward for radiotherapy. I'm nearly a year out now and due to see my consultant again next month and of course my first post mammogram looming!! But I'm feeling good and adopted a more healthy regime with my diet, although it wasn't bad before! I believe stress played a big part in my diagnosis. 
Hope you stay positive, listen to all advice available and do your research! 
Sending hugs!

Alison

Hi Rebecca 

What did you decide in the end? and how is it going for you? I am in the same situation and think I have decided but keep going round in circles.  I just can't seem to decide!

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply Alison, what you have said really reassures me.