I need to know about radiation NOW

this link is very helpful! Thank you! Day 3 Monday

Hello MTNCLMBR,

I thought I would try to at least give you some reassurance, and as you say, help to shape your questions for the Radiologist.

If you can, it would be helpful to you to meet with the radiologist in advance, but I would also suggest you ask your oncologist if he/she can point you to some resources. In my case, I found the surgeon, oncologist, and radiologist to be a very tight group-they know each other well, meet frequently to talk about the patients they share, and I found that each one affirmed information i’d been given by the others, plus adding info from their own specialty.

.in my case, I had no chemotherapy, but I met my oncologist after surgery, but before radiation, and we discussed aromatase inhibitors (hormone blockers for women who are post-menopausal), what he would prescribe for me, and how soon I would start taking it after radiation ended. Knowing the radiologist, he gave me some thoughts on what to expect. And at my first meeting with the radiologist, I found he knew that information, so again it gave me confidence.

Usually the radiation is meant to clean up localized areas of cancer, vs the systematic action of chemotherapy. So think of it as focusing on areas where the surgeon removed the tumor. Killing stray cancer cells.

A lot of planning goes into the radiation treatment-and these are items you can ask about and why, to include

—how much total radiation (measured in “grays”)?

—over how many treatment days?

—will the radiation cover your entire breast? What about the scar (typically referred to as the “boost”)? What about the lymph node area?

—what side effects might you expect?

—what effects on your skin? What will you recommend that I use (things like aloe vera, various creams)?

—what is your view on exercise? (In my case, I have continued my daily exercise program)

A good radiologist will cover all of this in detail. You’ll have at least one planning session to determine the areas to receive radiation. And typically you will meet with the radiologist each week of your treatment. So rest assured that your skin condition will be very closely checked.

So see what your oncologist can share, keep reading the posts here as well as the section on this site that gives an overview of radiation, and you will be ready.

I’ve only had one week of radiation so far, but thanks to the thorough interaction with my radiologist and his planning, it’s already routine. I know what to do, what to expect, and I have a weekly opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns. No noticeablechanges to my skin yet.

Hope that helps.

Hi!  I just finished my radiation treatments 5 days ago!  I also have smaller breasts with very little tissue for "scatter".  My tumor was in my left breast so we were all worried about minimizing radiation to my heart and lungs.  My RO planned my treatment so that I was prone for the first 16 treatments and then supine for the last 5 which were a boost to the tumor site.  Not sure all treatment centers do this, but I'm being treated at University of Penn and they were able to make that plan.  I actually experienced very few side effects.  I had a little nausea mostly in the beginning(peppermint gum and peppermint essential oil smelling sticks were super helpful).  Very minimal fatigue which seemed to happen mostly when I didn't get a good night sleep.  My skin is in great condition at this point.  I started out just using Cetaphil on my entire breast.  About 10 days in I started getting pink and I felt like my breast was swollen.  At that point after much research I started using Emu Oil.  It was like a miracle...for me!  The swelling went down and the pink started to fade.  I made it through the rest of the treatment with flying colors only using Emu Oil and Cetaphil.  After the boost I was and still am a little itchy on my nipple...my tumor was behind my nipple. I just apply the Emu Oil and it usually feels better.  My nipple through the entire treatment was sensitive and I definitely needed to avoid any clothing that rubbed the area.  I wore snug tanks or tank bras under my clothes to prevent this(but not too constricting).  I play tennis and I did stop during radiation because of the chaffing.  I plan to start again this week!  I also feel very tender(like premenstrual breast pain) and get occasional stabbing pain.  The stabbing pain could still be from my surgery.  I'm told it is nerves regenerating.  But it is really nothing terrible.  You would honestly never know I just went through radiation treatment. My skin doesn't seem much different than when I started.  Everyone is different and has different outcomes, but I think finding the right lotions, keeping a positive attitude, staying active, eating well and staying super hydrated are all critical during radiation.  I also feel like the shorter treatment time helped keep my skin in good condition.  Not sure what would have happened if I had to go another week or two.  I hope this helps ease your fears.  I'm sure your RO will be able to answer all your questions and come up with a plan that will be best for you.  Definitely ask about the prone position and shorter treatments!  Good luck!