That would be a great question for your oncologist. He/she should be able to tell the percentage of recurrence with and without radiation and endocrine therapy.
One thing to consider, the estrogen in your body fed the cancer in your body.
This is a very personal decision.
Wishing you well!

I don't blame you Marty I am against most of the treatments. I straight up refused chemo when I met my surgeon and not another word was said about it. The only thing I agreed to was Anastrozole. If I got clear margins, no lymph node involvement I may decline chemo but I think I would consider some radiation and then only do an AI for a year. I would choose this way because of any chance of stray cells. But...you say you are 70. Lets say it comes back in a year or two but it returns as Stage 4, you are still going to have a few more years after that. So its a bet, treat it now minimally or maybe treat it later more aggressively.

I had a small tumor removed from the center of my left breast in Feb 2024. Met with the radiologist, who went over the pros and cons of doing radiation. For me, radiation over my heart area could cause a blood clot that would kill me. Because the tumor was small...1.4 cm...lumpectomy left clear margins, and no lymph nodes were involved, the cons outweighed the pros...so skip radiation.
Then came the aromatase inhibitors. Prescribed Anastrozole .First 7 days no problem...then...joint pains. Major joint pains. Both knees. So Dr. prescribed letrozole. After a week off of Anastrozole I started the letrozole. 4 days in, the joint pains. Tried taking Claritin (some find it helpful) but no good. First the knees, then my HANDS. Unable to use my right hand to cut a cooked piece of CHICKEN! enough already. Stopped all ai drugs. Will be meeting with oncologist for a followup soon.

Oh my, I would definitely seek another opinion. You want to be crystal clear with what is going on with you so you can make the best decisions possible. I was taken back when I was told I had breast cancer, but have accepted it and am now researching like mad! I cannot get enough info and advice. I will be getting my pathology report back from surgery this Thursday and I’m hoping it is all good news!

Hey Melissa, so sorry you are dealing with this dreaded disease at such an early age. You said you are doing 8 rounds over 4 months, and then radiation? What type of cancer did you have? Was it in your lymph nodes? I will be getting my pathology report this Thursday. I am hoping for a report of clear margins on the tumor and no cancer in my lymph nodes. If I consider any therapy, it will be proton radiation and not the hormone blockers. It is quality not quantity of life that is important to me.