Radiotherapy 5 day intensive v 15 day treatment

I understand the end result is the same ie dosage but it also depends on hospital. I would have loved to have a quicker course but when I queried it at The Christie I was told they don't do it as 15 is better for skin ie gradual effects. There are others on here who have had the 5 day course. Its been around before covid but not all hospitals will offer it. 15 is ok - I was tired but that was from the 30 min drive and the fact the appointments rarely ran to time so a quick visit could turn into a 3 hour round trip some days! Sorry cannot advise on drug as I'm on tamoxifen. Have a look in the Oestrogen reducing meds chat for more info that may help x

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/chat-breast-cancer/f/questions-about-diagnosis-and-treatment/208210/oestrogen-reducing-medications

I've read some have longer term side effects, very interesting that the Christie doesn't even offer it.  I had decided on 15 days, I'm sure now that's the right choice after reading up on it. 

Hi, I’ve been advised I’ll be having the 15 day course and when I asked why not the 5 day, my oncologist said that in his experience the effects on the skin were less harsh. He did go on to say that some of his patients have had the 5 day and been absolutely fine but that a small number suffered more redness and some swelling. I’m fair skinned and burn very easily in the sun so I’m hoping this means the 15 day will be better for me!  

I haven’t been given my prescription yet but I will be taking Letrozole or one of the other two. Can’t wait…who doesn’t want a second menopause

I’m on day two of the five day intensive course. I was told that it is IMRT which is more targeted and causes less damage to healthy tissue. However they did say I could expect quicker rather than gradual side effects. I’m ok at the moment. My boob does feel a little tender inside and a bit swollen. I’m huge busted anyway.   I think from what I’ve read that it all depends on the hospital and grade/stage etc as to which is recommended  

Good luck ! X

Hi

I am an ex radiotherapy radiographer and also finished the 5 fraction breast treatment about 3 weeks ago so I know things from both side of the fence. The 5 fraction regime didn’t come about from covid but from several years of clinical trials in which it was discovered that for early breast cancers the 5 treatment regime was equivalent to the 15 treatments.

i didn’t have any side effects at all apart from tiredness.I was expecting my skin to go pink and be sore but my breast just felt a bit heavy.

I am also taking letrazole and it is pretty evil! My main issue is the hot flushes but I’ve been offered acupuncture to help with this by my oncologist and have had three sessions so far and it seems to be really working. I had a full 8 hours sleep for the first time last night since I started taking letrazole.... usually I wake up sweating!

Re bone density you will have regular dexa scans and you can be prescribed calcium supplements to help maintain bone density 

Hope this helps 

Good luck with your treatment 

Thanks for the replies, interesting that you've seen in from both sides Xraygirl.  I will go for the 15 day treatment, I just feel more comfortable with that.  At the moment it feels like if it's the right route for me. Meanwhile I just want to be well again, since diagnosis for BC the GP is trying to eliminate bowel cancer in order to diagnose IBS, hope she's right. have been poorly with the shingles and now I've got a humdinger of a cold (not much in the great scheme of things I know).  I'll have a good read up on the literature I was given on Friday, just feel so rotten haven't been able to face it. Thanks everyone.

Thank you for your reply Exraygirl as it has helped me feel reassured.  The 5 day treatment was mentioned for me so was wondering why I was offered that and not the longer course but makes sense when you mention for earlier cancers as I’ve been told mine was caught early. Good to know it is equally as effective as the longer course. Good luck and glad to hear your side effects weren’t too bad x

Sorry you feel so rotten!

Hope you feel better soon and all the bowel results are good. Take care x

Good luck to you too.

Honestly the Radiotherapy is fine.

The weird thing for me is that when the radiographers leave the treatment room they have to push a “ last man out” button which sets off an alarm to warn people the radiation is about to come on. After 35 years of leaving the room as a radiographer  it felt odd to be left in the bunker and my heart would start racing……It felt like I should be leaving!

Take care 

I had 5 days worth. About 3 weeks ago. It was fine. Felt a bit tired on a couple of occasions but skin was fine.