Had lumpectomy surgery and lymph nodes removed have to go for radiotherapy now was wondering if anyone can help me if they had hair loss due to that and how many treatments are there and how long each time you go your there for
Hi , so sorry you’re in the group! If you check out the diagnosis and treatment part of the group (it’s divided up into sub-groups even though we don’t like it!) you’ll find a couple of threads devoted to radiotherapy. With our daughters experience (not bc but a blood cancer, have a look at my profile if you wish more info) radiotherapy didn’t cause hair loss like chemo does, but the stress of it all might cause some loss.
Hi , wise words already from moomy, just wanted to pop in too to add my ‘welcome’ and also to say that your case sounds similar to mine. If you click on my name you’ll see my profile. I had my op just over 2 years ago and had my 3 weeks of radiotherapy during January 2019. 15 sessions was standard then, but now it’s often reduced to 5, but I think with a higher dose in each session so about the same overall? For me, I found the rads straightforward but time consuming as it was an hour’s drive each way. The actual treatment sessions are very quick, it’s the waiting around and the positioning that takes the time. I did find I was tired but had read that keeping hydrated was helpful as well as gentle exercise to counteract any fatigue. So I started my now well established daily walk. It was often nearly dark when I set out because the days were short but I always felt better for being out. Rads don’t affect your head hair but I think it can cause underarm hair to fall out if you have it there. I only had it on my left breast, not the underarm. Hope some of that helps, please keep posting and asking questions. And as moomy has said, check out the January radiotherapy thread in the Questions about Diagnosis and Treatment section. If I was more techie I’d send a link, sorry!
Sending love and a big virtual hug, HFxx
HappyFeet1 xx
Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts. – Hopi
Just popping on to add another welcome to the group and to give you some links to the radiotherapy threads.
There's the original Radiotherapy club thread which started about 4 years ago - there is some good advice there.
then there is the January radiotherapy thread - for everyone going through treatment this month.
My treatment was about 4 years ago and I had the 15 sessions. I did have it to my underarm area but didn't lose the hair there.
you should get a planning appointment where they'll measure you up for treatment and make some small dots on you - all to make sure you get a really precise treatment - it's all very high tech! You should be able to ask questions then as well.
