** JUNE JULY AUG 2021 BREAST CANCER RADIOTHERAPY **

Yes, it is for some reason something that scared me more than chemo and operation and I went downhill mentally after I found out that's standard and was not doing well by perceiving the doctors that I trusted up to this point as people that were out to hurt me instead of the people that were doing the best to cure me and make it stay that way for a long time. I did myself a lot of harm with that but for some reason I couldn't stop thinking like that. Now, I am well, as I said, I am also having counselling as I requested and I am on the right track to a new improved me. You will also be able to wrap your head around it when you are going to feel like it is your decision and you are not being buldozered into it. Time is of the essence though from what I read and was told. No more than 12 weeks since the operation. 

Thank you for your honesty I hope the counselling is helping and as time goes by we put this behind us and get on with our lives and some normality x sending you and everyone a virtual hug  

Can I ask what the new protocol of 5 days is please ? 

I am currently having the 5 day radiotherapy treatment. Below is a short explanation, click on the link for the detailed article.

”A one-week course of radiotherapy in fewer but larger daily doses was found to be as safe and effective as standard three-week therapy for women following surgery for early stage breast cancer. The protocol is being eagerly sought by hospitals to help reduce demands on the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Researchers found that delivering a shorter course to women who have undergone surgery for early stage breast cancer was as safe and effective as the current standard of three weeks.

Today, results of the FAST-Forward trial are published in The Lancet.

The phase III randomised clinical trial was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) – the nation’s largest funder of health and social care research – and led by a team at The Institute of Cancer Research, London.”

Thank you hope all is going well 

Hi I finished radiotherapy in Feb 2020 following removal of oestrogen positive lump and 2 lymph nodes removed in left breast.  I have been fine taking letrozole but recently noticed a lump on my back near the bottom of my shoulder blade.  I have read some articles that suggest it could be scarring from the radiotherapy exit path.  I have a telephone appointment with the oncology nurse this week but just wondered has anybody experienced this?  Thanks for any reassurance Jackie x

Hello Jackie44,

I'm only two going on 3 months post radiotherapy, not sure if you might have experienced this, but I'm told by consultant that radiotherapy is very unforgiving and can continue working, damaging muses on exit way long after treatment, not to say everyone will experience this, but I had auxiliary cording, shortly after 2and surgery(lymph nodes removed x 3) , is the lump in this area, painful, puffy, tender to touch, unable to stretch left arm above head(like previously) normal,  suggestion:,  massage this area, regularly every day until you see oncologist nurse or better still make an appoiment an appointment via secretary to see your breast consultant, please be assured you will not be making a nonsense of yourself...promise , mine is the start of lymphedema in the trunk which is being managed by a physiotherapist, the hospitals dont refer for this, only your GP, so hope this isnt the case for you x 

Hi Daisyjane thank you for taking time to reply.  It’s quite difficult to feel the lump as it’s on my back below my shoulder blade but it’s not sore.  I can see it if I look in the mirror, it looks like a bite only it’s not red.  I’m hoping it is the exit area for the radiotherapy because I was told similar to you about how long it’s keeps working for.  

Where the lymph nodes were removed can be tender and a bit puffy.  I think I’d just like somebody to look at me to put my mind at rest.  When I finished rads we went straight into lockdown so all my appointments, apart from 1st mammogram, have been on the phone.  I’ll speak to the nurse on Wednesday when she calls.  Lots of luck to you xx 

Let me know how you get on, I'm always up for a second opinion/prognosis, like us all, wishing you well Jackie44.

Wendy x

I will thank you. Jackie x