How to deal with radiated skin in the years after treatment

Hi Barbara, Well, you know I've got a prejudice for the go-without way. I really don't think anyone notices. If I were 20, it might be different, but I'm not. How about going form-free and wearing a lightweight linen overshirt over your T shirt or tank top? You don't have to button it, just something that slightly obscures the terrain so you don't fee self-conscious. I've gotten so used to my flat chest that when I do wear my strap-on boobs, I feel they make me look fat!

Oh, and I find Eucerin Calming Cream helpful for whatever little irritations have developed over the years. Bonus: it doesn't have parabens. I've stopped getting rashes, but every once in a while my underarm on the radiated side develops a dry, crusty surface. I've stopped using deodorant on that side and started lathering it with Calming Cream instead, and that seems to help.

I don't know if this is any help, but when my friend was going through radiation, her doctor told her to use Aquaphor on her skin.

It's interesting about the side effects of radiation.  My father is suffering some post affects from the radiation he had to undergo for prostate cancer, that he had about ten years, ago.  He had no idea that there was a possibility of bladder and bowel problems as a result of the radiation.

When women are told to have a lumpectomy with radiation, I wonder if they are told of all the possible complications that ocurr, later.  I know that I read recently, that lumpectomy with radiation has as favorable a result as mastectomy, but that's for the first five years only.  There is, in reality, a higher risk of recurrence with lumpectomy over the life of the woman.

I've known quite a few women who had a lumpectomy with radiation, who later had to have a mastectomy and they developed lymphedema, probably as a result of the earlier radiation.  Based on what I now know, if I develop cancer in my remaining breast, I'd opt for a mastectomy to avoid the radiation.  I'm all for keeping as much of myself as healthy as possible, which is one of the reasons, I decided not to have reconstruction.

I'm just wondering what all of you think, based on personal experience.

Dear Barbara--You could benefit from 100% aloe vera gel.  You can find it at at any health food store. Better yet you could buy the aloe plant from a nursery--you need to purchase the medicinal  aloe plant as there are several varieties of aloe vera.  Just cut off a leaf and appy the gel which can be squeezed or scraped from the center of the leaf.   Also,   the forms are helping to create heat and friction issues in that sensitive area.  If you don't feel comfortable going without, a regular bra which is lightly padded and retains its shape on the hanger would give you some depth without needing any additional inserts.  Hope you feel better real soon!

Hi Barbara!

I am the "rash queen" since rads, 8 years ago.  Have now successfully had a mtxmy and a good recon but still get all itchy.

In my case, the culprit is sweat and deodorants.  I've moved to using no deodorant on that side (pyew! But I notice no odor from the rads side, actually) cornstarch, all cotton.  I had a silicone foobie I stuck in there before recon inflation and oh what a rash from that girl when I sweat.

It sounds like a new cotton t shirt might be your best friend.  Also, I had to give up the silicone and any bra with any synthetics in it.  sports bras have alot of that stuff in them.  I used the little insert from the Softee camisole, destuffed it to where I wanted it, and since it is cotton with poly fill, it gave me the look I wanted without weight or rashes.

Good luck! (I am allergic to aloe and most creams...I used cocoa butter or olive oil)

What a good question. I just finished rads and am hoping to heal from the initial burn. My radiation oncologist told me not to use the aloe from a plant and said the pure aloe vera gel doesn't work. Some people at my cancer center use corn starch. 

I agree with Nagem about a mastectomy being less invasive than rads, for some of us anyway. I ended up having to have both. I think some docs do make the assumption you mention. Maybe it depends on who is making the recommendation. Surgeons seem to be more open to surgery! Ultimately the most invasive aspect of the surgery is the axillary dissection, which can be necessary with either surgery.