Stopping Treatment

First of all, I would like to say that - of course - every patient has the right to choose her own treatment for breast cancer. And, furthermore, stopping in the middle of treatment is a personal decision. However, with that said, I fully understand why your radiation oncologist was frustrated by your choice.

Because you work in a cancer hospital, I assume that you are aware of the fact that if a woman chooses mastectomy, she does NOT require radiation after tumor removal. However, with lumpectomy, radiation is indeed the standard of care, and for good reason: no matter what the surgical margins are, no doctor can guarantee that microscopic cancer cells do NOT remain at the site. For this reason, without radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells, local recurrence becomes a significantly higher risk.

As a survivor of invasive breast cancer-not DCIS-I chose to complete all recommended treatment to minimize my chances for local OR distant recurrences. And, knowing that I completed treatment has given me peace of mind as I have moved forward in my life after my diagnosis. Without that knowledge, I don't feel my emotional/psychological well-being could be where it is today.

Since you made a different choice, I would advise you to continue screening your breasts with regularity since local recurrence will always be a possibility. Also, please make sure your current gynecologist and internist are aware of your history so they can follow you closely to catch anything irregular before it is too late.
First of all, I would like to say that - of course - every patient has the right to choose her own treatment for breast cancer. And, furthermore, stopping in the middle of treatment is a personal decision. However, with that said, I fully understand why your radiation oncologist was frustrated by your choice.

Because you work in a cancer hospital, I assume that you are aware of the fact that if a woman chooses mastectomy, she does NOT require radiation after tumor removal. However, with lumpectomy, radiation is indeed the standard of care, and for good reason: no matter what the surgical margins are, no doctor can guarantee that microscopic cancer cells do NOT remain at the site. For this reason, without radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells, local recurrence becomes a significantly higher risk.

As a survivor of invasive breast cancer-not DCIS-I chose to complete all recommended treatment to minimize my chances for local OR distant recurrences. And, knowing that I completed treatment has given me peace of mind as I have moved forward in my life after my diagnosis. Without that knowledge, I don't feel my emotional/psychological well-being could be where it is today.

Since you made a different choice, I would advise you to continue screening your breasts with regularity since local recurrence will always be a possibility. Also, please make sure your current gynecologist and internist are aware of your history so they can follow you closely to catch anything irregular before it is too late.