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Rogz, I can totally relate to your fears as I'm in radiation mow and have had a mastectomy in the past.  I should also mention that 3 years after having a mastectomy due to invasive ductal carcinoma stage IIa, and going through 4 rounds of AC chemo, then following up with Femara that my cancer returned.  I did not have radiation the first time and my medication failed to prevent the estrogen from binding with the cancer cells.  My doctors beleive that one tiny little cell was left behind to grow over the last 3 years.  Had I had radiation the first time around this probably would have been prevented, as radiation is a localized treatment and chemo is a systematic treatment.  Now I am sitting thru 35 sessions of radiation that will be followed up with another dose of chemo then a different type of medication.   Only you can truly decide what treatment is best for you - but as PJ said, radiation has come a long way, and while it there can be possible side effects, most are rare and they have to tell you every little thing that may or may not occur.  But still, in order to fight the cancer and become a survivor you must be willing to do everything in your power to ensure your future health, right?  Talk to your doctor, gather the facts, educate yourself then make an informed decision that you feel is best for you.  No one can tell you what to do, you have to decide for yourself.  But radiation is really not that bad, though I have only done 10 sessions thus far.  I'm sure that if you've made it through all this, you can make it through radiation as well.  Be strong, stay positive and best of luck to you! Angi