Radiotherapy

Hi

Its nice to meet you.

Lots of your questions can be answered by reading the radiotherapy threads on the forum but I’ll try and help.

At your first meeting the oncologist will explain about the risks and benefits of having radiotherapy and obtain your consent to proceed to treatment.They wil also tell you how many treatments you are having.

It’s your chance to ask any questions.After this appt you wil be referred to the radiotherapy department and they will contact you with an appointment for your planning scan.This is not a diagnostic scan but it is used to get your anatomy and work out the exact position for your treatment.Treatment usually starts two weeks later.

Radiotherapy doesn’t hurt…..you don’t see it or feel it and although your appt is approx 15 mins only a couple of minutes is beam on time. The rest is positioning.

The main side effects are a reddening of the skin like sunburn and possibly fatigue.Your radiotherapy team can advise you on which moisturiser to use to help your skin.

The side effects are cumulative and reach a peak about two weeks after finishing treatment.

Lots of people carry on working and driving during treatment and to be honest it affects everyone differently so you won’t know how you are going to feel until you start.It might be wise to have a contingency plan in place and you might not need to use it.

As for other preparation get some soft cotton bras with no seams to reduce friction,start to moisturise your skin and drink plenty of fluids.

Check out the radiotherapy threads 

Good luck x

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/chat-breast-cancer/f/questions-about-diagnosis-and-treatment/229558/december-2021-to-march-2022-breast-cancer-radiotherapy

Hi mar55

Exraygirl has provided a really good response.  I finished radiotherapy nearly two weeks ago and can confirm it doesn’t hurt at all.  My skin is very slightly tender, and a bit pink, but nothing that bothers me.  It’s almost like it didn’t happen.

My team said they didn’t recommend any particular moisturiser and I could continue to use whatever body cream I was already using.  But they said if I started to use a new product I should aim for something with fewer additives (eg. unperfumed) because I didn’t need an allergic reaction on top of radiotherapy!  I would recommend starting to moisturise now, so your skin is nice and supple before you start.  If your radiotherapy team is keen for you to use a particular product you can always change nearer the time.  Best wishes x

Thank you for your reply.   I will make a list of questions to ask.  Your post is very helpful.  Thanks :')

Thank you for your reply.  I hope you are well.  Take care x

You are welcome

i was a radiotherapy radiographer so am happy to help anytime x