Radiotherapy tattoos

Hi, thanks for sharing this Ladyrovermuppet. It's all about attitude I guess, though I am sure not everyone is able to deal with this in such a positive way, but it's good if you can. For me I can't even see the tattoos, they are so tiny and I don't think about them. Good luck with your radiotherapy.

 I've had my two for almost 7 years no2.  No one has ever noticed them but I do enjoy when occasionally someone on face book sends those "have you ever " questions and they ask if you e ever had a tattoo and I say yes 2.

I've never heard anyone complain about the breast tattoo but maybe it's because locally they literally are two tiny dots .

I remember thinking similar and really empathise but nobody ever notices maybe once or twice, I’ve had mine since 2013, it fades as well, people assume it’s a freckle. Mine wasn’t noticed by medical students when I was examined a few weeks ago. They will get easier, in away they just become a part of you and you forget about them. Hope the radiotherapy goes smoothly xx 

I quite like mine! I joked that I got my first ink when I had them done. But I also barely notice them.

I'm not a sunbather, but I was told that sunbathing was a lifelong no-no after radiotherapy on the area treated, so no swim suits or bikinis out in the sun for long and always have a very high factor sun cream on.

Hi 

Prior to my planning scan I was very worked up about the tattoos ..didn't want them as felt they were a permanent reminder of treatment. (Didn't have the same feelings about the surgery scars interestingly but may be because I usually heal very well and have minimal scarring plus they were my body if that makes sense..the tattoos were not)

I dud share my fears with the radiologists who were sympathetic and explained purpose and what they would have to do if I didn't have them. I had left side BC so had to breath hold 

I made the decision to have them and they are tiny so they did a brilliant job of doing their best to make them as unobtrusive as possible. I'm grateful to them and it turned out OK

Now if that blasted blue dye would go from my boob I'd be really happy ! Nearly 3  months and still there but was fading until my RT ! 

I do totally get the issue about the tattoos though and hopefully the 3D imaging that is often offered when private will eventually become the norm in the NHS  

I wasn't fussed as like Anna mine look like a freckle. as they are tattoos, you can get them removed post treatment if you want. Ask the rads department or there is the option of tattoo removal places.

The blue dye lasts a good 6 months or so but it does fade gradually over that time. Mine started to look more like a bruise and less like a blue boob!

You can sunbathe, wear bikini etc.  I went abroad on beach holiday a year later.  I just used usual F30 then down to F15 and my skin tanned as normal.  I did apply aloe Vera gel after shower in the evening but I had no issues at all .  Apparently your boob only glows for 2 years in airport security scanner . 

Yes that’s what I was told, 6 months out of the sun, that said I am meticulous with sun cream of a high factor on the area anyhow, I put on another thread, I was shocked to see a clear square on the top of my chest in photos a year afterwards, it wasn’t visible to the naked eye! X

Hi never thought about going through the security scanners. I'm going away in 2 weeks time and heading to the sun. Have swimsuits, sun tan lotion, strappy vest tops, a shrug that is uv protection and a uv parasol for walking around and about in. But never thought About a lead lined top to go through the airport to stop the glow. Now to look up where to get them from  hubby uses the flowing breast to read at night to save o on electricity bill.

I'm not bothered about the 3 black spots I have on my chest, I wear my stretch marks with pride of having children and now my dots are for surving breast cancer. As far as I'm aware only one can be seen and that's the one on the middle of my chest. If people want to stare then let them and walk with your head held high.