Has ANYONE opted OUT of the boosts at the end of rads?

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Estepp
Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Looking for sisters who did this and why...

The boosts I speak of are to the scar of the mastectomy.

Love

laura

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  • Lifestooshort
    Lifestooshort Member Posts: 159
    edited March 2009

    Hi Laura,

    I had chemo/mastectomy & rads because of being triple negative.  It was explained to me that the "boosts" are not  "extra/stronger rads" but the way I understood it is the boosts are to the just the scar line only and not as deep as the regular rads....like to prevents skin mets from the surgery area.

    Could be wrong....chemo brain here.  Laughing

    Laurie

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  • debisongbird
    debisongbird Member Posts: 275
    edited March 2009

    I don't understand why anyone would want to skip out on the boosts. Just a little more insurance and they are much easier because it's just a small area. (Takes about 30 seconds.) And while it is the same strength, it is, as mentioned, much more to the surface area on the original tumor scar. I think my onc said it is just to clean up anything (again, I have chemo brain a little too, so not quite sure.) But it's fast, it's easy, it's painless and the radiation oncologist believes it will help. So why not?

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited March 2009

    I agree...they are very fast and effective.Studies have shown it. They won't irritate your skin any more than the standard rads. Your almost done!!!! Yipeee ~~~***

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  • Eldub
    Eldub Member Posts: 276
    edited March 2009

    Hi Laura,

    I was just reading up on some of the research about lumpectomy and radiation, and sort of stumbled upon info about the importance/purpose of the "boosts" that I didn't know.  Turns out those last few radiation doses are to the cavity where the tissue was removed, and research has consistently shown that doing the boosts reduces recurrence rate by almost 50% compared to just doing the whole breast radiation.  I'm not sure why it's called a "boost" - the word had me pretty paranoid, frankly - because it sounds like it is actually LESS troublesome for most women than a standard full-breast radiation dose.  Anyway, I feel much better about doing it now, and definitely wouldn't skip it.  It seems like it might be the most important part...

    Linda 

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  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited April 2009

    I just found this thread, and it made me sigh a breath of relief!  Here I thought it was more intense rads!!!!  I'm so sore right now!  I'll be so glad when this is all overwith!  

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited April 2009

    Ladies.. I start the boosts this week... I am going to do them now that I understand them more.. I am GLAD rads are almost done.. I hated them more than CHEMO!

    Blessings!

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  • PJOTF
    PJOTF Member Posts: 11
    edited April 2009

    I just finished my Rads Friday.  I had 34 total with 26 whole breast and 8 boosts.  I did not burn or peel until the last two days when the dark area under the breast, where the bra rubbed, has now started to peel.  I have no pain from it.  I just worry about getting an infection so I keep putting Aloe Vera gel on it.

    Does anyone know if using something like shea and cocoa butter is ok to use after radiation is over on the whole breast area?  I would really like to use something more than just the Aloe Vera.

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  • Jeanne_D
    Jeanne_D Member Posts: 175
    edited April 2009

    Doesn't anyone else burn from rads?  I just finished 19 out of 37 and I am a little burnt.  I have 6 more to do and then 12 boosters.  Is that a lot of boosters?  It seems noone else has done that many.  Ofcourse, this is my 2nd bout with breast cancer.  A new cancer, but, the second one. 

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  • pamelahope
    pamelahope Member Posts: 534
    edited December 2012

    Hi all! I just found this thread. I had a mastectomy, no recon, and am thinking of opting out of the boosts. Everything so read says no boosts if you had a mastectomy.



    Pam

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