Debra Trails...
Anyone have any thoughts, information, etc. on the Debra trails. I have googled it and am continuing to search for as much detail as I can find. I have IDC Grade 1, HR+, Her- and my tumor was less than 5mm. This is a very personal decision, but trying to gather as much information as I can prior to making my decision.
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Hi @aandr2005, welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're glad you reached out. Until you hear back from other members, here’s a helpful link from our main site with information on DEBRA trials:
DEBRA Trial: Skipping Radiation After Lumpectomy
We hope it’s useful as you explore your options! Let us know if there's something else we can do for you. We're always here!
Sincerely,
The Mods
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Hi @aandr2005, The DEBRA trials are actively recruiting stage three participants in 808 locations in the US and Canada. I would not have been eligible because of my tumor size but I am one of the few who ended out with serious side effects from radiation so am glad to see that de escalation of radiation therapy is being investigated. You would randomly be assigned to either a group receiving one of three types of radiotherapy (whole breast + boost, partial breast or accelerated partial breast) and endocrine therapy for five years or a group that receives no breast radiation and endocrine therapy for five years. You would have to be OK with assignment to any of those four treatments.
If you don't want to participate you could decide which of the four modalities you would prefer and find a radiation oncologist to provide your preferred treatment.
During my treatment I participated in clinical trial that studied the effects of cancer treatment on the immune system with special reference to covid. It meant more frequent blood tests but I was updated on my level of immunity and followed more closely than I would have been otherwise. I also felt that I was contributing to finding information that would help others in the future. One study finding was that radiation lowers your immunity way more than any other treatment; I would have guessed chemo. I found out that I have a borderline low IgG level which has been useful going forward and is a possible explanation of my adverse reaction to radiation.
Good luck with your decision.
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