Vacation after Radiation Therapy

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skirts
skirts Member Posts: 2
edited May 2019 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi there. How soon after radiation can you be in the sun (with lots of coverage) and swim? My work gave me a few weeks off after I finish radiation this month and my husband and I are thinking of going somewhere warm to try to clear our heads a bit from everything. We would travel about 3 weeks or so post finishing radiation. Thanks for your input!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2019

    Hi Shealyn, and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

    How nice of your job to give you some downtime to refocus. You must be looking forward to getting away!

    You may be interested in this info from the main Breastcancer.org site's page on Skin Care Tips:

    After your radiation treatment is done, the skin that has been exposed to radiation may be more sensitive to the sun than it was in the past. You can go out in the sun and have fun, but continue to protect your skin:

    • Use a sunblock that is rated SPF 30 or higher on the area that was treated. (A strong sunblock is a very good policy for every inch of your body.)
    • Apply the sunblock 30 minutes before you go out in the sun.
    • Reapply the sunblock every few hours, as well as when you get out of the water.


    There's also some good information on the page Summer Skin Care.

    We hope this helps and hope you enjoy your vacation!!

    --The Mods

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited April 2019

    I think your skin will be in pretty good shape three weeks out but please do keep that area out of the sun. Even when it looks normal again it has still been damaged and will be fragile. (And remember the area radiated is larger than just your breast.)

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  • skirts
    skirts Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2019

    Thanks! Swimming 2-3 weeks out should be fine if I wash off with clean water after?

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  • PiperKay
    PiperKay Member Posts: 173
    edited April 2019

    Sounds like the thread should be called "Vacation Therapy after radiaion Therapy!"

    Enjoy your rest and relaxation!

    Anne

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited April 2019

    skirts--as far as I know pools generally don't use chlorine any more, but salt. If it's just salt it might not matter if you rinse but it can't hurt!

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited April 2019

    I think if your skin is completely (like completely) healed, swimming would be ok, but if it's still healing where you could pick up infection, maybe not the best idea. I would cover up the area when in the sun. They sell sun protective clothing. My RO said to always cover the area, she said the treated area has had it's "lifetime radiation dose," so no sun. :-(

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  • keywestfan
    keywestfan Member Posts: 338
    edited May 2019

    Wiil finish hypofractionated 16 session rads May 21.. Going to Denver and Santa Fe from Chicago on June 5-15. Should I be worried about high altitude after rads? Also, should I wait til the 16 to start ARIMIDEX? or immediately after radiation? Thank you.

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited May 2019

    I’ve never heard of altitude being restricted after rads. Re: starting the AI, there isn’t a huge rush so I’d wait until after your vacation. I finished rads October 4th, started anastrozole every other day November 11th, and went up to full dose December 1st. There are a number of us here who started out at less than full dose—seems to help with the SEs.

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  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited May 2019

    I was told not to get any sun exposure on radiated area and purchased a Coolibar long sleeved (sun blocking)tee for swimming, excellent quality, does not feel heavy, and still in good condition after 5 years.

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  • keywestfan
    keywestfan Member Posts: 338
    edited May 2019

    Thank you Ingerp. I did ask RO at our weekly meeting today and he said no problems with altitude after rads. He also said my MO wants AI to start day after radiation, but other MO’’s are not in such a hurry and let you start a month or so after. I do think it would be better to wait til after vacation and to do every other day for a few weeks.

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