I will be starting Proton Therapy in mid June so will let you know how it goes. I'm very excited to have qualified for this as the long term side effects on my heart and lungs should be substantially less. I've heard mixed stories about the similarities to Radiation on my skin and fatigue levels. Hopeful that it will be easier on me (although the two hour drive round trip every day to the center will be tough for six weeks) and so glad the I have to have my exchange surgery first. Want to get that over and done with.

There are some clinical trials going on around the country for left sided breast cancer only (due to increased risk of heart damage from traditional radiation). If this describes you, you could try asking your radiation oncologist or do a google search to find the nearest proton beam center to you, contact them and ask if they are part of such trials. There are only a dozen or so centers in the entire US right now. I know there is one in Boston, Texas, Minnesota, California and the Chicago area. Not sure about others.

I asked my oncologist about this. She said the proton is more for smaller target areas of cancer. They have not started using it yet for breast cancer.

I was curious about that. They just built a big new center here. But don't know anyone who has had it.

I just finished proton yesterday. 5 weeks. Very little fatigue. I also used mepitel which is a film you wear on the skin to helped with irratation. Worked great. I have left sided breast cancer so was happy I was given this option.