Long term effects of radiotherapy to left breast

Hi Nici, I can’t advise unfortunately as I’m at early stages after finishing radiotherapy just before Christmas but I am sure there will be plenty of advice coming your way. I only joined on here yesterday but have already found it helpful. My mastectomy/radiotherapy area is going through a huge range of reactions and my arm pit went black a couple of weeks ago but my breast care nurse was able to reassure me, do you still contact your team they could advise on getting the chest infections checked. Wishing you all the best, big hugs Anne xx

Hi Nici  /  

Sorry to seeing you joining us here and reading about the Rads reaction and tough recovery you had :-/

You can have long term side effects from rads that affect the lung(s) but this is uncommon with newer, far more accurate tattoo positioning - Do you have problems with both sides (lungs)  as it is normally only the treated side that can have issues ? Suppose you didn't have the newer left hand side 'Breath Hold' technique during the rads session, although that is more to help protect the heart than the lung.

Best thing would be to see your GP and get a chest x-ray referral carried out as this could be early signs of long term bronchitis, asthma or copd etc  Are you on any inhalers at the moment ?

There is an info page here about post breast rads lung side effects you could have a look through but do get that GP appt chest x-ray sorted out; It's the first step to getting answers and some help.

Cwtches from Barrybados  G n' J

I’m down the road in Swansea.  I had rads Sept 2015 and I’m a G cup.  I had a mould made which I had fitted each session to hold my breast in place.  I had quite bad reaction underneath my treated breast which I was led to believe is common with larger boobs and caused by skin on skin burns .  I was given mediplex(?) dressing to separate but found they irritated.  I used unscented long panti liners which worked well.  I also used aloe Vera gel straight from fridge and E45.   My BCN gave me flamazine too.

My skin has returned to normal.  For about a tear or so itched and I had a large pussy spot underneath appear suddenly just before my first annual mammogram which I was told to pop! 

I have to admit I now only wash my skin all over my body once a week with shower gel as my skin is quite sensitive and if I use daily dries out.  I just stand in shower daily, wash hair and let water run on my skin.  I have no body odour issues and my skin is much better .  
I still get the odd random shooting pains in my affected breast, always worse in month before annual mammogram.

i have no chest / cough issues but I have never been one to suffer with chesty coughs . If I get a cold it always my sinus badly affected and take weeks to clear whereas my sister will cough for months.  

I would see GP time get a check up for peace of mind xx

Diolch! 

it’s definitely the left lung.....chest x/ray and spirometery all in hand....I’m not freaking out...   just want to know if this is coz of radiation so I can get my head round it and adjust to it! Thanks for replying x

Thanks Carol - I was never one to have chest problems before - only since RT finished. My skin is mottled, red and angry under my affected boob, the rib painful to touch and my boob is hard and fibrotic and logic tells me if these are external side effects .....then there must be internal ones too???? Just want someone to say.....then i can accept it and adjust!! 
thanks again x