Do I Really Need Radiotherapy?

[Abran]

I am 57 years old and have had a 9mm grade 2 lump with a 14mm DCIS removed from my right breast. My surgeon used therapuetic mammaplasty as I had very large breasts and wanted a breast reduction at the same time. It was during the routine mammagram before my scheduled operation that the lump was found. I had a core biopsy and surgery 10 days later. The lump was in the lower portion of my breast and was not palpable, so I had to have a wire marker place in the breast before surgery. He excised the lump with an extremely wide margin and my breast are now about 5 bra sizes smaller. My scars have healed well and I am otherwise a fit and healthy woman. I dont smoke or drink and do not use HRT. I am a complementary remedial health therapist and

have more than average knowledge about the body. I have been sent for a simulation to have radiotherapy to the whole breast, my feeling on this is that radiotherapy can also cause problems and side effects that are unpleasant, and some long term side effects are very worrying. My question to you is - do I really need radiotherapy? thank you

ANSWER: YES YOU DO! My opinion is based on very careful clinical studies in both Europe and America. In fact to do a lumpectomy(as in your case) without also strongly recommending postsurgical radiation therapy would be a clear case of malpractice! But of course no one can force you to any treatment. But honestly if you do not accept radiation therapy you in my opinion would neglect your own best iterests as shown by more than a century of clinical experience!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

Thank you I appreciate your comments. I am due to start RT next Monday for 3 weeks, 15 sessions in all. I have been marked ready for treatment and my plan has been organised. As it is the right breast there will hopefully be no heart involvement to worry about, but I do have concerns about my right lung area. My follow up question is what can I do for myself after each treatment to help my healthy cells and skin recover from the radiation. I have been using good quality supplements and anti-oxidants daily and live a relatively healthy lifestyle, I have always understood radiation exposure to cause cancer not cure it, and is very dangerous to all living tissue! Im afraid I still have a problem with my understanding of RT and find it difficult to get my head around. Nevertheless I really appreciate your comments and will keep my appointments at the hospital.

Thank you

Barbara

[Aleekcheaahoosh]

Yes radiation can cause cancer BUT also cure it! Cancer cells are often more sensitive to radiation than normal cells. Yes radiation can cause a temporary inflammation in your lung tissues and in your skin(like a sun burn) but it is temporary! And usually does not cause any permanent damage of any real importance. Also the cancer risks due to radiation are very exaggerated in the public opinion. Radiation is NOT a man made phenomenon! It is part of our natural environment and has always been that. Every cell in our body has repair mechanisms for radiation damage repair! If you live in Denver(the "one mile high city") you have your natural background cosmic radiation increased around 3 times compared to sea level! Much more every time you use an airplane to get anywhere. Also if you visit Paris, France, due to natural back ground radiation from the ground! Here in Sweden if I move from Stockholm to the university town of Uppsala around 40 miles to the north I would have my natural back ground radiation from the ground doubled! Should we therefore forbid people to live in Uppsala(the university has been there since the 15'th century)? Of course not! There is no real statistical cancer risk difference between Stockholm and Uppsala! I do hope that these facts have calmed you down! In fact this radiation scare has been most damaging since it has stopped us from really building up nuclear power that could have saved us from fossil fuel problems a long time ago. I have often wondered if the environmental organizations that have been fighting nuclear power have been financed by the oil(and coal) producers?! Good luck!