Thank you for responding. They absolutely believed that the benefit
of radiation far outweighs the slight risk of exposure. You wrote
a very clear summary/assessment of radiation. Hillary was kind enough
to post the initial question on my behalf. Since she posted, I had
an opportunity to learn more from my doctors. I'd read and heard
contradicting information about radiation that was making me fret over
my decision to have a lumpectomy plus radiation (vs. mastectomy).
My doctor at Mayo and my local doctor did a great job of explaining what
was involved with my particular situation, and was able to give me piece
of mind and eliminate any doubts. Thanks again.


--- In friendsforlifefoundation@yahoogroups.com, hlsrbd@... wrote:
>
> I also found this quote regarding damage to the heart:
>
> According to Harris, women who received radiation treatment more than
five years ago should keep a closer eye on their heart health than women
who have undergone treatment more recently, because advances in
techniques and equipment have reduced the heart's exposure to radiation.
>
> I think the real issue is, what is the risk of a recurrence of breat
cancer wthout radiation therapy vs the very small possibility of damage
to the heart or lungs with radiation therapy. Certainly, if a patient is
a smoker or has a history of heart disease, that should be disclosed to
the radiation oncologist. I would still think, however, that treatment
would be recommended unless the patient had severely compromised heart
or lung function. I am curious as to what the radiation oncologist's
assessment of the overal risk would be vs no treatment?
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: hlsrbd@...
> To: friendsforlifefoundation@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sat, 8 Dec 2007 12:18 pm
> Subject: Re: [friendsforlifefoundation] Re: Radiation
>
>
>
>
>
>
> After having read accounts of hundreds of people undergoing radiation
treatment, I still never heard of one who had any ill effects to their
heart or lungs from the treatment, when propertly administered. The risk
of damage to the lung or heart is so small as to be inconsequential in
otherwise healthy patients. My wife underwent radiation after her
lumpectomy and had dozens of chest X-Ray, CT scans, pulmonary and heart
function tests without any ever showing any ill effects.
>
> There is probaby a higher risk of radiation induced sarcoma than
damage to a patient's heart or lung from photon radiation to the
breast.Â
>
> Rradiation techniques used now treat much less of the heart than those
used in the past. Current studies have found no increased risk of
serious heart disease in patients treated with modern techniques even 10
to 20 years after radiotherapy treatment was given. However, there is
still some uncertainty about the risks of radiation causing heart
disease for individuals who smoke or have pre-existing heart disease, or
for those who receive certain chemotherapy drugs. It is likely that such
risks will also be found to be very small.Â
> Â
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: l.castronovo l.castronovo@...
> To: friendsforlifefoundation@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sat, 8 Dec 2007 9:25 am
> Subject: [friendsforlifefoundation] Re: Radiation
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In friendsforlifefoundation@yahoogroups.com, "pathlaw1"
> hlsrbd@ wrote:
> >
> > --- In friendsforlifefoundation@yahoogroups.com, "Hillary Sweet"
> > <hillary@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Someone I know is going to have to have radiation after her
> > > lumpectomy. She is concerned that radiation is going to affect
> her
> > > heart and may lead to other problems. They are going to be
> radiating
> > > the whole breast. Has anyone heard that this is a concern? Maybe
> > > someone who has had radiation can make her feel better about the
> > > treatment. I would really appreciate people sharing their
> radiation
> > > experiences. Thanks. Hillary
> >
> > I have never heard or read about radiation causing damage to the
> heart.
> > The photon beam only penetrates so far and does not extend to the
> heart
> > in any amount to cause any damage. The beam itself is tailored to
> a
> > particular patient in each case.
> >
> > Jeff
> > >
> >It may be intersting for people to know that (according to my
> radiation oncologist), there actually is minimal exposure to the
> lung and heart. Before treatment, the doctors map out your
> organs, and can see how much radiation your lung and heart will
> receive. Typically there is a little scarring to the lung that
> is detectable on x-rays. Before treatment, your doctor can show
> you how much radiation your heart and lung will receive. Loren
>
>
>
>
>
> More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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