Free Guide – Your Beginner's Guide to Practicing Intuition
What if you've been told you need both radiation and anti-estrogen therapy after breast cancer surgery, but the evidence suggests one treatment might be enough?
Women over 60 diagnosed with early-stage, estrogen-positive breast cancer often receive recommendations from multiple specialists, each focusing on their area of expertise, without anyone taking a step back to ask whether every suggested treatment is truly essential.
Dr. Katie Deming leverages her two decades as a board-certified radiation oncologist to examine the research that questions whether combining treatments always leads to better outcomes for older women.
Having transitioned from conventional oncology to integrative practice, Dr. Deming brings a unique perspective to treatment decisions. She understands both the clinical reasoning behind standard protocols and the daily reality of living with treatment side effects.
Key Takeaways You'll Learn:
- Why survival rates are identical whether you choose radiation, hormone therapy, or both
- The specific recurrence rate differences between treatment options (2% vs 10%)
- How treatment side effects compare: 5 years of daily medication vs 3-4 weeks of radiation
- Which questions to ask your doctors to ensure you're getting personalized recommendations
- The historical evolution of breast cancer treatment and how it impacts today's protocols
Her knowledge of how these recommendations became standard practice allows her to thoughtfully challenge current approaches while maintaining respect for solid scientific evidence.
This episode tackles a widespread problem: patients receiving multiple treatment recommendations without understanding whether they truly need all of them or having the tools to advocate for alternatives.
Dr. Deming translates complex studies like CALGB 9343 and PRIME II into understandable terms, helping you evaluate whether accepting a slightly higher recurrence rate might be worthwhile when weighed against years of medication side effects or the appeal of completing treatment in a matter of weeks rather than years.
Beyond the basic treatment comparison, Dr. Katie explores the historical context that shaped current breast cancer protocols, revealing how patient advocacy in the 1970s and 80s led to less aggressive surgical approaches.
She discusses the practical considerations many doctors don't address: what happens if you start hormone therapy but can't tolerate it, why 60% of women don't complete their prescribed anti-estrogen treatment, and how to evaluate your personal risk tolerance when making these decisions.
Dr. Katie examines the role of age in treatment planning, explaining why older women often have different types of cancer with better prognoses, and how this biological reality should influence treatment intensity.
Finally, she addresses the communication gaps that exist between different specialists and provides practical guidance for becoming an active participant in treatment planning. This includes understanding how to frame questions for your medical team and ensuring that all your doctors are considering the full picture of your health and preferences, not just their specific area of expertise.
Listen, learn, and you understand your options so you can make choices that align with your values and quality of life.
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Don't Face Cancer Alone
“The 6 Pillars of Healing Cancer” workshop series provides you valuable insights and strategies to support your healing journey – Click Here to Enroll
MORE FROM KATIE DEMING M.D.
Free Guide – 3 Things You Need to Know About Cancer: https://www.katiedeming.com/cancer-101/
6 Pillars of Healing Cancer Workshop Series – Click Here to Enroll
Work with Dr. Katie: www.katiedeming.com
Follow Dr. Katie Deming on Instagram: @katiedemingmd
Take a Deeper Dive into Your Healing Journey: Dr. Katie Deming’s Linkedin Here
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Read the Transcript Below:
To be added…
DISCLAIMER:
The Born to Heal Podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for seeking professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual medical histories are unique; therefore, this episode should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease without consulting your healthcare provider.
