What is best for me?

[Wildflower7]

I recently had a lumpectomy that showed DCIS cancer 1cm.  Had another surgery to remove a margin of tissue around the spot and lymph nodes to check for cancer spread.  This report was good, no sign of spread.  Now I am overwhelmed with information about what to do next.  They offered me a pill to take once a day for 5 years that offers a 20% chance of no recurrence, (not very good odds, I think).  I am also considering radiation therapy to begin in a couple of weeks, but I don't like what they tell me about the radiation effecting the lower portion of my lung. I do  not want chemotherapy.  I had none of the risk factors for breast cancers.  I am 56 years of age and postmenapause.
I assume that estrogen played a part in this, of course no one knows what causes cancer.  I am taking a couple of herbs that were recommended by the Omish, that is suppose to help my body rid me of cancer cells.  Sanicle and Whole Apricot.  I know the medical profession has no proven data on herbs, but I am not ruling them out.

I would like to hear from people who have had similiar situations, and how the radiation affected them.  Also, is this the best course of treatment for me?  I know that radiation or chemo is the recommended treatment, I have never had
any serious problems before and take no medications.  I feel good, and if it weren't for them telling me I had this, I wouldn't know it.  I guess, what I am saying is I'm not sick right now and I don't want any of the medical treatments to
make me sick.

[HazelLynn]

Hi, I am on Tamoxifen, so far I have had no side effects, apart from lighter periods.  A bit of advice that my nurse gave me which I hope proves useful to everyone is that its best taken before you go to bed - that way the side effects go unnoticed whilst you are asleep.

Hazel

[Austinite]

I just found out in May that I have DCIS.  I had a lumpectomy and then a re-excision to get larger margins.  I'm starting radiation tomorrow.  I read many, many research reports and had a friend help me do the statistics on absolute risks for Tamoxifen's benefits and side effects. I also read research studies on radiation and have talked to at least six friends who had radiation.  I am convinced that radiation is worth the side effects, and none of my friends have had any major problems with radiation. I'm still not sure about the Tamoxifen due to my own unique situation (I will return to living overseas where I don't have access to good health care in case of serious side effects), but I think you should definitely consider it.  I have a couple of friends who have taken it or are taking it, and the worst they have had is bad hot flashes and one had weight gain.  

[web_lady]

I'm in the same boat, wondering what's the best thing to do.

No history of cancer in my family or myself. 49 years old, I had a biopsy that showed DCIS and had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal on 6/24. I am being told that I should have radiation treatment and "anti hormone" treatment. I had a total hysterectomy 2 years ago and my ob-gyn had me on hormone replacement therapy until I learned about the lump, and I decided to take myself off at the suggestion of the surgeon.

I'm scared about radiation and not looking forward to taking yet another pill every day for years. We know that HRT was probably a contributing factor to my lump, so what else can taking another pill every day possibly do to me?

[jmph]

Thank you for the herb recommendation.  My biopsy showed DCIS with microcalcifications.   My surgery is scheduled for July 17th.  I'm hoping I have only a lumpectomy.  Really scared it will be much worse.  I have no risk factors either and right now feel great.  My surgeon is suggesting at this point that I would be given radiation.  My girlfriend had surgery and radiation over 10 years ago for a lumpectomy (not sure about the tamoxifen). Another friend had the same thing done 3 years ago.  Both are doing great.   Not sure what kind of cancer they had.

Good luck to you -- you're in my prayers.

[PaulMD]

Hi.

I understand your confusion with all the data and forums about the condition.  For DCIS, it is recommended that after a lumpectomy, you would consider radiation therapy to the breast to lessen the chance of recurrence or developing an invasive cancer.  Also, if the tumor is hormone receptor positive (ER or PR positive) then taking hormonal treatment with Tamoxifen will really improve your chances of developing an invasive cancer.

Chemotherapy for DCIS is not recommended.  Radiation indeed has side effects, but their occurrence is varied from one person to another and we cannot really tell if you will develop the same.

Hope this helps.  Regards and God bless.