To do radiation or not?

Mary,

Dear Mary,

According to our National Cancer Institute-study after study has shown that radiation therapy combined with chemo increases survivabilty and lessens the chance of recurrence..

from-http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/postsurgical-radiation0106

Survival Improved by Radiation After Breast Cancer Surgery

Summary

Combined data from 78 randomized clinical trials show that radiation therapy after either breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or mastectomy in women with early breast cancer significantly reduces both five-year recurrence and 15-year mortality rates. This is the first research to show that postsurgical radiation therapy in this group of patients helps them to live longer in addition to lowering their risk of local recurrence.

..............

I am sorry you have such difficult options...but it seems your chances of survival are better with the radiation..

good luck to you,

Steve

Hi Mary,

In response to all of your replies regarding the radiation:

Dear Mrs. Murphy,

first off....I deeply admire your attitude and wish you and your marvelous family many, many, many, many, many etc. decades of happiness together. I am sorry you have been through so much but you certainly have handled things with dignity, intelligence and courage.

I didn't see it in your profile and you may have discussed it before but have you had genetic counseling/testing for the BRCA mutation? If you would prefer to discuss privately, please send me a PM. And of course, if you don't want to discuss it at all, that's fine.

I am particularly sensitive to the fact that genetic testing may be difficult in a military family, which I seem to remember you are from a past post. I spoke to several women in the military at a breast cancer conference who told me that they were afraid to have BRCA testing(even though they had very heavy family histories of early-onset breast cancer) because their careers might end and their medical care compromised because the BRCA gene, at that time (this was four years ago), was considered a "pre-existing" condition. As the Church Lady would say "now isn't that special?" but it ain't funny, huh. Basically they felt they had to wait to get breast cancer and then they would be covered.


In any event I am guessing (always dangerous to do) that your husband is the one in the military but I wouldn't want his career impacted by your information either. Don't know if there is any 'spillover' like that but didn't want you taking a chance if there is..

Last year the GINA act went into effect which has eliminated much discrimination in health care (but not life insurance) if you have a genetic mutation but my understanding is that the rules don't apply to the Armed Forces-

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics - How Will GINA Influence ...< ="w10">< ="w20">

by LG Dressler - 2009 - Related articles
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) prohibits a health insurance company or ... The legislation does not apply to members of the US Armed Forces, ... services and participation in genetic research: "Such terms include, ...
www.nature.com › Journal home › Current issue › Perspectives

At least in 2006 this seminar "Genetics Perspectives on Policy Seminar - Genes in Uniform: Don't Test, Don't Tell" sadly explained our government's policy.

http://www.dnapolicy.org/news.past.php?action=detail&past_event_id=25

I know, from talking to a Marine recently, that there are efforts to change the policy and eliminate discrimination in the Armed Forces but I am not sure that has happened. Does anyone know?

all the best,

Steve

Thank you for your reply Mrs. Murphy.

Mary, feel free to write out all your questions and concerns in a list and bring them to your radiation oncologist and also meet with a plastic surgeon, if you are not comfortable feel free to then get a second opinion.

I also forgot to mention (still have chemo brain!) that when I was evaluated and measured for my radiation treatments they were sooo thorough, measurement wise, with x rays, etc to make sure to stay CLEAR AWAY from my heart and lungs, that first time with the measurements was the longest because they were so careful and exact.  Also, since my lymphnodal section was on the left arm, that had to be raised above my head for each session, it hurt like hell to have it in the holder, but each time it actually stretched it more and more and I now have more mobility in that arm than before!  Plus, when you do the radiation, after the measuring and sharpie marks and tapes... the session are super short, like 5 minutes.

Dont be afraid of it, get second, third, heck 4th opinions if you like!  On a forum like this everyone is going to have a different opinion because each of our experiences and prognosis' are different, just remember - Its YOUR body, and YOUR life is precious!  You want to be confident in your decision.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Mrs. Murphy

Thank you Dave,