External Beam Radiotherapy to the Breast (5 radios)

Hi WiolaP91 

I had the 5 session protocol, also on my right breast. The treatment sessions themselves were no problem at all, other than taking a chunk of time out of each day. I was able to drive myself there and back and continue as normal (other than having to fit the appointments in). The very first session took longer than the others as they take time to make sure the measurements are ok. The remaining four were quite speedy other than sometimes I had to sit and wait as there were delays caused by other appointments running over, machine issues, etc.

I wasn’t given any products (not sure the NHS stretches to that sort of thing) but I used Aveeno Dermexa (the range with blue rather than green writing on the bottles). I was asked to not put moisturiser on before treatment but to put it on after treatment, and again before going to bed, washing it off in the morning.

I did have some tiredness which built up after treatment - but I had not long finished chemo and I had a liver ablation under general anaesthetic shortly after radiotherapy, so my tiredness had multiple causes. 

I had substantial skin burning in the areas of skin overlap under and round the side of my breast and particularly along the surgery scar, but it didn’t appear until 5 or 6 weeks after treatment. It took about 3 weeks to clear through with several cycles of skin peeling, like bad sunburn. I also had oedema build up in the same area. It’s still visible on CT scans almost 4 years later. My breast also is now much more solid than the other and almost has ridges in it. 

The worst thing about the sessions themselves was feeling like a bit of meat to be manhandled into position. That and having to walk half naked across the room with just a bit of torn off paper from a roll to provide dignity. 

Hi WiolaP91  

I had five days radiotherapy two years ago. I was able to do everything as normal during treatment. I had some very slight pinkness to my breast which went after a couple of weeks and wasn’t sore at all, just like I had been in the sun slightly too long. I used Aveeno moisturiser. I wasn’t tired during treatment but two weeks later had one weekend when I was very tired so napped a lot and it quickly passed with no issues since. My breast was firmer and looked fuller for a while but this settled after a couple of months and now feels just the same as the other one.

One tip is to wear a crop top to the appointments. That way you can wear it and push the straps under your arms when you walk to the treatment table and still be covered. I pushed it down to my waist during treatment and then pulled it up when I was getting off the table so only uncovered for a short while. x

Hi WiolaP91 

I had 15 sessions (about 9 years ago, so 5 x sessions wasn't really a thing then) but one thing and I don't think it matters how many sessions you have -  is to drink, drink, drink.  I am 100% convinced that fluids helps enormously with preventing fatigue.  I went at the same time every day with 3 other ladies.  I drank pints and pints during the day, as did one other lady.  We were fine.  I drove the 60 mile round trip for the 3 weeks and went to work normally. 

The other 2 ladies who didn't drink much - completely different story.  They both suffered really badly with fatigue. One lady actually fell asleep at her desk at work.

Drink more than you think is possible and you can't go wrong.  In their instructions, they do tell you to drink plenty but I can't say enough how important it seemed to be to act on their instructions

Good luck, I do hope it all goes well for you.

Lesley 

Hi, I had 5 sessions last year.  I worked throughout but became very fatigued towards the last sessions and for a good while  afterwards. In hindsight I think should have taken a week or two off afterwards to rest. 

The hospital gave me a tube of flamigel to pop on my boob 3 x per day during and after treatment, and an extra tube upon completion.  I applied it religiously and only had a bit of pinkness and warmth, no other skin issues.  I have then bought organic aloe vera gel ( from E-bay about five pounds per tube).  After a few months I cut down to applying it twice per day and then after a few more months, just once per day. A year later, I am still using it each morning after my shower, but think I will stop after my current tube and just continue with my usual body lotion.

Please drink lots of water, keep your boob out of the sun, and don't have your shower or washing water too warm. My boob felt pretty warm for a long time, so anything to keep it cool is useful.

I hope all goes well for you x

Hi WiolaP91

i had 5 radiotherapy sessions after my mastectomy. I had very little reaction other than pinkness to the skin. I always drank lots of water before and after each session. I was given creams by my hospital to use - Zerobase and a steroid cream for light use. I plastered on the Zerobase. I’m retired so didn’t have to worry about work. I don’t recall feeling any more tired than usual. My scar was already extremely tight before radiotherapy- so much so that I went back to my consultant before the rads started to explain I was worried that couldn’t get my arm over my head far enough. I was fine but the tightness never left me. I don’t believe the radiotherapy caused any extra tightness. 3 years on I still do my stretches every morning!