Radiotherapy Reaction

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Hi All,

I am fortunate that I did not require chemotherapy after surgery to remove my high grade DCIS. However, I did have five sessions of Radiotherapy. I thought this all went well until about four weeks after my treatment when I became very sore under my breast. We then had the heatwave and the soreness turned into thrush. (Bear in mind that I had been told not to use any creams, deodorants etc following my treatment). Got some cream from my GP and this cleared up after about 5 days. Then I noticed an angry sore appearing about 1cm above my surgery scar. This developed daily until I had a red band about 2cm wide going 2/3 way around my breast. It was very sore and painful inside the breast. I eventually got to see a nurse in the radiotherapy dept. who gave me some Flamazine cream for the burns and offered stronger painkillers. 4 days later I am still very uncomfortable and feel rather unwell / exhausted.

I feel I should have been warned that this might happen. I also feel like a pest phoning all the time. Is this normal?

Di L

SuziQ over 3 years ago

Hi Di L, burns are quite common after RT and was one of the side effects that I was warned about. I also had Thrush after RT which needed a lot of treatment to clear up - was told that the heat that the RT causes creates a good breeding ground for Thrush, so while its not a direct side effect, its an indirect one and I found it very wearing until it was under control. Its not one that I was aware of before my RT. Please DO NOt feel that you are a pest phoning about these side effects - you are supposed to report them and they MUST be treated. I would go back to your GP or the RT nurse if you are still feeling unwell and exhausted after 4 days of treatment. You may have an infection and need anti-biotics or need something stronger than Flamazine to help it clear up. Hope you get the treatment you need and it clears up soon.

Army over 3 years ago

I have a small lump along my scar line. Been i. To have it checked and BCN said it looks like scar tissue. I need to massage for next 3 weeks and if it’s still there to call back.
3 weeks of worry if it doesn’t disappear

I’ve also got a really bad throat. Which I’ve had for over a week Tested today for covid. So hopefully throat will get better in next few days.
uts just a constant worry now. Feel like my life has plummeted into stress and worries x

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