I am going on holiday in a few weeks and I don't know how the sun will affect my skin. I finished my chemo in December '21 and my radiotherapy in January. '22. Will my skin react badly to the sun even with Factor 50 sun cream?
I went to Egypt for 10 days at the end of March (chemo and RT done) and my skin was fine. Used factor 50 and tried to keep in the shade - although I admit I did stick my legs out a bit, but I was fine.
The irradiated area will always be more sensitive to the sun but particularly so in the first two years.
I would advise factor 50 and lie in the shade with a cocktail!
Avoid wearing scrappy sundresses or v neck t shirts as the irradiated area come quite high up if you have had whole breast treatment.and it’s easy to get caught out if you are walking around.Also take an old t shirt which you can sling on over your swimsuit if you are going to spend a lot of time in the pool or sea.
I was told no sunbathing for life on affected area, which goes right up to your collarbone/base of neck - so no bikinis/swimwear without covering up with something. Even factor 50 only lasts for a short time.
I was told the same. I recently bought a UV50 rash guard top for swimming, has a high neck and elbow length sleeves, have a trip booked for September (our first holiday in 3 years). I'm very careful in the sun now as I had a BCC removed from my face in 2015, told it was sun damage from 1970's, sun protection wasn't 'cool' and having a tan was proof we'd been abroad, silly us!
