Radiotherapy first session

Hi Pipsqueak80 Welcome to the forum and yes it is normal to see the Doctor as they are the  people who will give the go ahead for your Radiotherapy and they may also want to see how you are coping with all the treatment  and ask if you have any concerns about the Radiotherapy. The Doctor I saw before my treatment told me all about looking after my skin etc.

Thank you! Saw the Consultant about a month ago, and had my planning CT 2 weeks ago.  Just thought it would be me and the radiographers then!  I struggle with all the unknown around stuff, so was thrown by the change of plan and doctor review.   
Thank You, it’s such a bloody head F**k! Xx

Hi Gail 

I just wanted to say thank you again, the “doctors” apt was actually to see the breast care specialist radiographer, who was lovely and just wanted to go through some more details and check I was ok. 2 sessions down, 3 to go! 
I haven’t been involved much in these groups but increasingly finding them a source of information and reassurance. Thank you so much for your reply!  
xx S

What is best way to look after skin?

Can one go swimming week after radiotherapy?

Hi

Hospitals all seem to have different recommendations regarding skin care so at your radiotherapy planning appointment the radiographers will go through their recommendations but in general use the moisturiser advised or that you prefer a couple of times a day.Try not to moisturise in the hour before your treatment to give it a chance to soak in.

Popular choices are Aveeno,Moo goo or Flamigel RT

The amount of skin reaction you get depends on the dose prescribed, the area being treated and your skin type.Also bigger busted ladies tend to get more reaction under the boob.

In addition to moisturiser drink lots of fluids.Wear soft fabrics next to the skin and avoid lacy or underwires bras

Radiotherapy carries on working after you finish the course and the reaction peaks approx two weeks after treatment ends so it’s difficult to answer your question re swimming as reactions are personal to each person but I would say it would be fine as long as you don’t have any areas of broken skin.

I had 5 treatments and minimal reaction so I would have been fine to swim but other ladies haven’t been so lucky.

Have a look at the radiotherapy threads on here and you will see other peoples experiences.

Good luck x

Thank you Extraygirl for taking the trouble to reply

i am very keen to be able to play in a minor golf competition 10 days after I start radiotherapy and I don’t know if I should enter or not !!

I am very keen to do so xxx

I had 10 sessions of radiotherapy and I used Avenoo cream and didn’t have any issues. I moisturised as soon as I got up (for a 10-11am appointment) and moisturised again before I went to bed at night. By day 9 my left boob felt like I had the start of a bit of sunburn but that was the extent of it. And I didn’t slather loads of cream on, just put an amount similar to what I would have done sunbathing.