New to the journey
I was diagnosed as DCIS a week ago after lumpectomy at Advent.
stage 0, level 2, estrogen and progesterone positive.
Radiation and hormone blockers as treatment have so many horrible side effects. For stage 0 cancer are these treatments necessary? Any other good options for treatment?
I'm sorry that you had cancer but glad you caught it so early. If you are looking for a different approach maybe check out the Riordan Clinic in Overland Park. Good luck with everything!
I’m not sure Riordan looks like a real option for me.
So traditional oncology has radiation and hormone blockers as primary/standard treatments? Not much else for stage 0 cancer? Hard to believe there are no treatments with less horrible side effects.
- I too was recently diagnosed with DCIS and learned about the risk diagnostic test for patients with DCIS by PreludeDx looking at biology of DCIS. Website says was developed with funding from Natl Cancer institute. Not sure Advent docs using but Radiation oncologist Brad Koffman is a fan. Test is done on your biopsy or surgical sample and assesses whether radiation is truly needed based on your biological make up. Dr Koffman is affiliated with Menorah Hospital.
@Donna Hi! I have a few thoughts. They might sound contradictory, but I'm going to throw them out. I was offered radiation and hormone blockers as well. I was worried about both of them, but I did them because they were indicated. They sounded awful, but they weren't. Do I have some side effects? Yes, minor ones. And do I wonder about effects down the road? Yes, sometimes I do.
The other thing I'll say is that you have the right to decide what to do with your body. It is your right not to do something that seems like overkill. It's your right to discontinue a treatment that is making you miserable. If the doctor tells you that a treatment is going to reduce your recurrence risk from 12% to 6%, you get to decide if that's worth it. I know people who have declined radiation and hormone blockers. I know people who do take a hormone blocker but don't take it daily, don't take the full dose, or don't take it for the full 5-10 years. I know people who do a combination of Eastern and Western medicine, picking what they align with from each. I guess what I'm saying is: do your research, and then make a decision that feels right for your one individual body and situation. Good luck!
Thank you Jane for your wisdom and insights. Wish I had a crystal ball to see the future. Then I might know what to do….