Radiotherapy - what to expect

I‘ve not had radiotherapy yet. I’m interested to hear any advice or information. I hope it all goes well for you. 

Hi HeatherLassie 

At my planning appointment I had a scan and the tattoos done. Didn’t take very long. I was really upset about the thought of the tattoos but, honestly, they are absolutely tiny, didn’t hurt being done (just a little pin prick) and I’ve forgotten all about them now. My top tip would be to wear a crop top style bra for this and your radiotherapy sessions. You can pull the straps down under your arms while getting ready and walking to/getting onto the table, then push down to your waist when stuff is being done and pull up again quickly after. 

I found radiotherapy no problem at all. Little bit of pinkness, nothing uncomfortable at all, and I had one weekend feeling tired two weeks after last treatment but that quickly passed. Hope this is the same for you. x

Hi

Ask if they give you a gown and check if there are separate changing rooms. Some trusts don’t have them apparently. Also if having male staff members is likely to be a problem for you, ask for female only staff. It wasn’t an issue for me but I know others who have been most upset.

i had 9 sessions and it was a doddle.

good luck.

That’s all really helpful, thank you. 

Hi I had 15 sessions of Radiotherapy after having a lumpectomy and node removal follwed by chemotherapy and completed it on the 14th FEBRUARY 2025. The hospital gave me a gown that you just pull down once you lay down on the table. 

Each session only lasted 10 minutes max. I got fatigued a bit and towards the end had a sunburn effect around the breast and under arm which did weep in parts but was quickly healed with a prescription gel which the hospital provided.

It's important to keep the area supple by massaging it, you can use E45 to help.

Good luck with your treatment x

I finished my radiotherapy about 4 weeks ago and it really is easy. My hospital gave me a gown to keep and bring with me every day with a new gown every Monday. Definitely hydrate and moisturise as much as possible. I drank at least a litre of water a day on top of my usual drinks and I went through the whole container of moisturiser they gave me and half of the Aveeno I bought myself and have had hardly any problems. A bit of fatigue towards the end and a sunburn like effect the week after it finished. 

The procedure itself was easy. Change into your gown then lay on the table. They will pull the gown down will they make sure your body is lined up the way it was for the CT scan by looking at your tattoos. Once this is done they will pull your gown back up again and then you lie there as still as you can for 10 minutes. The time goes fast then you're done for the day. 

The biggest problem for me was the journey, as being in London somedays it took me 40 minutes to get there and others 90 due to train problems. They were very lovely people though, when I was running late I just gave them a call and nothing was mentioned about it again they just took me at the next available time. Good luck tomorrow

Thank you everyone for your advice! It is so very much appreciated and certainly puts my mind more at ease. xx