radiation and breast size

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gretchy
gretchy Member Posts: 106
edited December 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I am going to start radiation Dec. 29th, 2014 and I've read here about side effects of fatigue and the importance of skin care. What I haven't seen is there a difference in breast size and how do others deal with the aesthetically because I don't prefer  baggy shirts. I heard the treated breast could become larger or smaller.

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited December 2014

    Gretchy - congrats on crossing over and moving forward in treatment. Speedy healing.

    You will do well in rads...does not hurt it's more the mental daily grind of showing up and jumping up on the table each day.

    Hydration is key to fighting fatigue so drink up, moisturize your girl, if able free boobing with the girl out to air...as to size...after all the swelling settled down the girl is smaller&perky...so for me a B&C combo which is not noticeable in tight form fitting clothing or swim suit. I did go in for a professional fitting and selected a chick fillet to help support my lx and fill my bra. Everyone is different and so much depends on what size before after...for me not worth additional surgery.

    Hang in there...you will get through rads...make it fun...stickers...does radiation make my boob look bigger!

    Best Wishes

    Cindy

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  • MsPharoah
    MsPharoah Member Posts: 1,034
    edited December 2014

    Gretchy, I finished radiation about a year ago and I had no change in the size or shape of my radiated breast, either during or after. I have experienced hypo-pigmentation where the color of the nipple on my radiated breast is not pink all the time. I worked every day during rads in a professional office and I was worried about how to keep the girls in check. As it turned out, I found some soft cotton bras at Target that came in SMLXL and they were perfect..comfortable and just enough support that I wasn't flopping all over. I bought them in a size larger just to ensure comfort.

    I drank a lot of water during rads...still do and followed the Dr's skin regimen religiously. I had my treatment early morning. Right after, I slathered Aquafor on and used a large piece of cotton gauze to hold it against my skin and protect my clothing. Toward the end when I got pink and itchy, I used pure Aloe Vera.

    Good luck. Many, many women do well with radiation treatment and if you are having problems or concerns, count on your doctor and nurses to help you.

    MsP

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  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 1,455
    edited December 2014

    I started with my BC side 1 cup larger than the other. Lost the nipple and had rads. Still larger than the healthy side, but also perkier.

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  • gretchy
    gretchy Member Posts: 106
    edited December 2014

    Thank everybody for sharing these personal details. I will certainly take your suggestions and feel more geared up after listening to you all wise women.

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  • tgtg
    tgtg Member Posts: 266
    edited December 2014

    Gretchy--

    I'm almost 2 years out and there's no size difference. The treated breast is a bit "perkier" (a euphemism for "not as droopy," and a good thing actually at my age!), but perfectly symmetrical in all other ways. My right areola isn't as pigmented as my untreated left one, but that's no big deal.

    Rads was no big deal at all, and since I have always worked out I kept that up and never felt any fatigue. I always carried my (reusable) water bottle everywhere with me, including to rads, and used Aquaphor faithfully each day (starting after each 9 a.m. treatment). And wore cotton bras (Dr. Weiss's orders) with no seams on cup. The biggest hassle was the drive at the tail end of rush hour each weekday for 7 weeks, but in the grand scheme of things, 7 weeks is nothing! TG

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  • MarcelaBR
    MarcelaBR Member Posts: 34
    edited December 2014

    gretchy - I didn't moisturize the radiated skin that often (like once every two days), and now, almost one and a half year later, the area is still darker than the rest of my body and will probably be like this forever. So if I have one tip to give is TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN! I used Cetaphil Restoraderm as indicated by doctors and I would suggest at least twice a day, even more if you can. You will be thankful on the long run!

    Also I did not have any changes on size or shape...

    Good luck!

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  • gretchy
    gretchy Member Posts: 106
    edited December 2014

    Thank you ladies!

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  • swellrider
    swellrider Member Posts: 17
    edited December 2014

    I had very large breasts going in. My radiated side is at least one cup size smaller and the nipple sits at least 2 inches higher. I also had more skin problems because they have to use more radiation to get to the chest wall. Good news is that as fast as my skin fell off, if was healed enough in a couple days to be comfortable again. I will likely have the unaffected breast reduced to match.

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