Radiation problems with smokers

swedge35

Hi,

I posted pretty much the same thing earlier but didn't specify in the subject what I really needed. I'm going to be starting radiation sometime next month. I've only just quit smoking about a month ago. I'm worried that there will be lung damage from the radiation when I already have damage caused by many years of smoking. Anyone have any experience with this?

Moderators

Hi swedge!

This is what we have in our Research News section of our main site related to your question: Smoking During Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy Increases Risk of Lung Cancer

Hope it helps,

The Mods

labelle

I quit smoking just before starting RADS and had many of the same concerns you have. Like, what damage might I have done already, compounded with the RADS, but we can't undo the past, we can only move forward.

I'm pretty sure I'll never feel that my BC dx was a blessing (mixed or otherwise despite what some people who write books about their "journey" claim) but I do believe it was a wake-up call. After years of trying to quit smoking, the prospect of RADS actually got me to do it. One year smoke free and that is a good thing.

swedge35

Thank you Labelle, it's seems like we are in the same boat. I did read the post that the administrators sent me about smoking and radiation therapy together can cause lung cancer. I'm glad I quit!! I just didn't want anymore damage done to my lungs than I have already done myself and, like you, felt it was a good time to quit. I already feel so much better, I rarely cough anymore and don't feel the tightness in my lungs anymore, and it's only been a month. I wish I would have done it years ago.

My blessing came as a car accident. I had someone pull off to the side of the road in front of me then make a U-turn just as I came up to them. Both cars were totaled and miraculously there were no bad injuries even tho I was going 55 mph and t-boned her car. After healing , I went for a mammogram (hadn't had one in 14 years) because of bruising to my right breast from the seat belt. The radiologist called to let me know that everything was fine with the injured breast but they found a problem with the left one. Hence, my blessing in disguise. I thanked God for the accident believe it or not.