Breast Change After RADS

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DebRox
DebRox Member Posts: 437
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

To anyone out there that has undergone radiation, did your breast size change?  Immediately following, 3 months down the road, 6 months or a year?

My Rad Onc said the change could be minimal as in a few mm, so not even noticable. 

Due to where the tumor is located, my BC breast will require a small reduction and lift at the time of surgery.

I am trying to decide if I should have my good breast lifted to match BC breast at time of surgery or postpone until after I have undergone rad therapy.  Too many decisions and not enough knowns!

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  • judyfams
    judyfams Member Posts: 148
    edited April 2011

    I finished radiation on Nov. 24, 2010 and the only thing I notice is that the breast has lost a little volume.  It's not really noticeable, and I still wear the same size bra.  I would suggest that you wait until you finish radiation before you do further breast surgery, just in case your irradiated breast does have more changes.

    However you could ask the plastic surgeon what he recommends about when to do the breast lift on the other breast - before or after radiation.

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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited April 2011

    Hello

    I suggest you go to the thread after the rads.There is a lot of good info there and perhaps the sistas can help you out with your problem.I am over 2 months finished with the rads and that breast is really bigger then the other one.soooo many changes that its hard to keep up.

    I wish you the best.God bless hugggggggggs K

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  • CTMOM1234
    CTMOM1234 Member Posts: 633
    edited April 2011

    I finished rads about a year ago and there was neither much of a change during the process last year nor now. I noticed a little short-term fullness in the zapped breast, but I still wear the same bras (34C) that I did before my lumpectomy surgery and rad treatments. Amazing how the body adjusts to the trauma . . . much better than the mind, which still deals with this on a daily basis.

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  • texaslonghorn31
    texaslonghorn31 Member Posts: 65
    edited April 2011

    I am 6 months out of RADS and so far my breast still seems to be about the same size... though I do still have some swelling so it could end up skrinking some down the line. I am only a B cup though so hope it doesn't shrink! I don't have much to lose!

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  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 3,697
    edited April 2011

    My irradiated breast did go down an appreciable amount, became firmer, it has still a change in color and a thickening of the skin.  My radiation was finished in Oct. 20,2010.  I am now considering a lift and reduction in size of my R side, need to check if insurance will cover.

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited April 2011

    After my lumptectomy and radiation, my breast now matches the other one perfectly.  The other one was smaller than the treated one.  My cancer breast probably went down a size due to the lumpectomy, not from radiation. 

    I'm four years out from treatment and my cancer breast looks perfect. 

    Hope this helps,

    Bren

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  • firstclasszip
    firstclasszip Member Posts: 21
    edited May 2011

    I am 1 year post lumpectomy and radiation.  Last night after my shower, ....I noticed when I hold my arm up over my head there is a contour line about 3 inches long around my radiated breast.  Looks like an indentation in a line.  When I put my arm down you can't see it.  Is this from the radiation/lumpectomy.....or should I be concerned....AGAIN?

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  • pil
    pil Member Posts: 315
    edited May 2011

    firstclassz,  you need to be seen.  I have not had a lumpectomy yet but any changes in your breast shape should be looked at immediately.  If I had gone to the dr when I first noticed the small square shape the bottom part of my breast was taking on I would have found this cancer before it started hurting me.  I just thought it was because I am heavier.  

    If you asked the question here, see your doctor.  No one can here can safely tell you not to worry its part of the way your breast shapes.  My opinion now, better go to your doctor and have him see what you are experiencing. Please do  not ignore this. It may not be anything but seeing your mention a concern, just go to your dr. 

    P

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  • firstclasszip
    firstclasszip Member Posts: 21
    edited May 2011

    Hi Pil,

    I went to the doctor this morning.......and everything is okay.  She said I still have swelling...even after a year.  But she did a check and didn't feel any masses and said it was okay.  I go back to to the ONC doctor in August.

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