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Radiotherapy or not?

Posted , 4 users are following.

fulhamgirl
fulhamgirl

Some guidance please on consequences.

My Mother was diagnosed with breast cancer about six months ago, Has been on a course of chemotherapy in plill form. However, the Doctors are not as pleased with her progress as they would like, and have arranged a course of Radio-therapy.

My Mother is not happy at the prospect of this - what then would be the result of not going ahead with that!?? 

 

1 like, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • sufjam
    sufjam fulhamgirl

    Posted

    Radiotherapy has temporary side-effects including potential for low white blood cell count called leukemia, weak immune system. I've yet to begin radiotherapy for sore thoracic/cervical vertebral hemangioma ive had for over two documented month, due to some unidentified infection in my lungs that was discovered on scans; because of the risks of weak immunology.

    From my understanding radiotherapy is less invasive than chemo? Yet I don't know much about the treatment process although my mother had breast cancer when I was young.

  • yvonne15472
    yvonne15472 fulhamgirl

    Posted

    I would be very wary of radiotherapy if I were you, as I underwent it a few years ago when I had breast cancer, and I believe I had an overdose of radiation. I developed an awful stitch in my side which I still get. When investigated I was told it was damage to one of my lungs due to an overdose of radiotherapy. Unless your mum feels she really needs this radiotherapy she shouldn't just go ahead with it because it has been arranged, does she fully trust the specialist involved? I would look into more deeply as to whether she really believes it's a plus for her. I know if my breast cancer ever came back I would not have radiotherapy, as it badly burned my skin as well as contributing to the severe deformity of the reconstructed breast I had done (besides the botched surgery which had taken place) at Bolton Royal Hospital in Lancashire. Do not just trust the NHS as they sometimes are more concerned as to getting as much useage as possible from these machines than they are about curing the patient!
  • denise39345
    denise39345 fulhamgirl

    Posted

    I had breast cancer surgery in September this year and 15 sessions of radiotherapy in October. I felt fine when I was having the treatment although I didn't do much so I wasn't overly tired and my skin was fine throughout.    I do have aches in my arm, but I think that is a combination of the lymph node surgery and radiotherapy. My hosptial was St James' at Leeds and at the moment would go through radiotherapy again with no question. Everyone is different but I hope my reply helps.smile
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