Advice re Radiotherapy

Hi

use lots of moisturiser…. Whatever has been advised by your radiotherapy department or if they have no preference Aveeno, E45 , moo goo or Flamigel RT all have a good following. Moisturise a couple of times a day after your treatment. When you shower use a mild soap and just let the water run over you. Don’t run yourself dry ..,, pay dry. The aim is to avoid friction as your skin may become fragile .

Wear soft cotton next to your skin and go for a soft crop top bra instead. Drink lots of fluids as this will help you to feel better. Rest if you need to.

The radiotherapy radiographers will asses you every day. The treatment is painless and you don’t see anything and just hear a buzzing noise.The treatment has  a cumulative effect so the effects build up gradually.

The treatment carries on working after you finish reaching its peak approx 10 to 14 days after treatment.

Be careful regarding what clothes you wear if you are having your sternum and nodes treated as you will need to protect those areas from the sun as you will burn a lot more easily in the sun so avoid v and scoop necks.You may need sunscreen under your clothes if you going to a hot area. You can try a stylish sun hat to help shade your neck.

Let me know if you have any other questions as I worked in radiotherapy 

Good luck 

Thank you so much for a really helpful and comprehensive reply, really appreciated

It is true it carries in working my two burn areas just under my collar bone and had a slight one on the back of my shoulder. It is where the radiation leaves you. I used pure Aloe Vera kept in fridge which was lovely and stopped them itching. Didn't over do it as need moisturizer too . I did get given some hydrocortisone cream to use sparingly too. Aveena seemed to work twice a day after treatment. The one thing I hadn't really understood that once treatment all done how tired I would feel by 5.p m I was done in. 

Everyone is different and different skin types tolerate this differently. If you have had chemo this is much easier to get through . Best of luck ️

Hi

how is the Kadcyla making you feel?

im due to start that soon but want to go back to work ( I’ve already had 6 months off) had chemo and mastectomy and due the same radiotherapy as you.

thanks

Kadcyla has been fine compared to the previous TCHP chemotherapy. Side effects have had some numbness in my feet, and a little constipated not too bad. Good luck with the rest of your treatment 

The only other advice I would add is keep up with the radiotherapy stretches throughout and for 12 months afterwards. Its so important to do them to maintain flexibility of your arm and to help with chest wall tightness.

hi hope you dont mind me asking...radiotherapy stretches....is this the same as post op ones we are given? I haven't been told about any exercises and I'm 5 in, 10 to go x