Skin Cancer from Radiation Therapy

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andi44
andi44 Member Posts: 28
edited October 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
Skin Cancer from Radiation Therapy
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  • andi44
    andi44 Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2014

    I was recently diagnosed with Basal Cell Carcinoma (skin cancer) due to the lingering effects of the radiation therapy I had last year. I was wondering if any other pink sisters have heard of this or is this just an isolated event.  When it comes to my health, I seem to have a ‘darkcloud’ over my head these days…If I knew of the effects I've endured with having radiation, I would not have had it.  I feel like I've been overtreated with the type of breast cancer I had.

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  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited October 2014

    Years ago, I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my cheek, but never knew what caused it.  As I understand it, this type of cancer does not spread so thus is not a cause of death.  Is that also your understanding?

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited October 2014

    A family member was just diagnosed by his derm. with a basal cell carcinoma and it's my understanding as well that it does not present any risk of recurrence or risk to his health. If left untreated it could grow and become quite large and unsightly.

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  • andi44
    andi44 Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2014

    You both are correct that this skin cancer is treatable - I'm just upset that I was not told of the side effects I've had after having radiation to the breast area.  I've had several breast reconstruction issues because of the radiation and now this stupid skin issue...ugh !!!  I'm just tired of it all.

    Andi  :)

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited October 2014

    Was you BCC in an area that you had rads on?  I've had BCC (arm) and SCC (face) since I did rads.  However, due to being 'white bread', years spent outdoors and having had small precancerous lesions 'frozen' off for YEARS, it was actully expected that some day it would be an issue.  Not related to medical rads - just Sol (the name for our sun).

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  • andi44
    andi44 Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2014

    Kicks,

    Yes, it is on that area where I had the rads.  I've also been a sun worshiper my whole life - w/o sun screen...and, the doctor did not feel that was the cause of my BCC...I noticed it after I healed from the radation burns but it never went away.  I've seen all of my doctors for follow up exams, and none of them seemed to be concerned with that spot.  I started getting 'filled' again (tissue expander) and the nurse told me to get it checked out....

    Andi

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