Radiation Therapy and You.

Radiotherapy for breast cancer.
How it works, what it feels like,
and what to expect.

Radiation Therapy is an effective form of treatment for breast cancer.

Radiation Therapy (sometimes called radiotherapy, radiation treatment, x-ray therapy or irradiation) is the use of high energy rays to stop cancer cells from growing and multiplying while, as far as possible, maintaining healthy cells.

Breast cancer radiation may not be needed at all after modified radical mastectomy for stage I disease, but is almost always utilized when breast-preserving surgery such as a lumpectomy is performed.

Radiation affects only that part of the body being treatment. It is a localised treatment and therefore side effects are also local.

Over half the people with breast cancer have radiation treatment. This can cure, control or help relieve symptoms of cancer.

It can also reduce pressure, bleeding, pain or other symptoms of the cancer.

It may even be the sole form of treatment, or may be used with other treatments such as chemotherapy or surgery.

Radiation may also be used before surgery to shrink the cancer, or after surgery to keep remaining cancer cells from growing again. It can mean less risk of breast cancer returning, as well as an increased likelihood of surviving well.

Radiation Therapy: Will it hurt?

No. Radiotherapy is like an ordinary x-ray that you don’t hear, see or feel. However, the machines (some of which are very large, and move up and down or around you to treat the cancer from different angles) do make a buzzing sound when beaming x-rays.

What to expect when starting Radiation Therapy.

At your first appointment your radiation oncologist will explain the procedure and how many treatments you will have, including any side effects (if any) that you may expect.

Radiotherapy is individualized for every patient, and there are a couple of planning stages.

The first is called simulation when normal x-ray pictures are taken of the area that will be treated. The simulator mimics the treatment machine in that it can move around you and take x-rays from any angle.

The second stage of planning is to get you set up in the exact position for your radiotherapy treatments.

You’ll need to bare your chest and lie on a simulator bed which is quite narrow and flat for 20-40 minutes with your arms behind your head.

Quite frankly, this was the most uncomfortable part of the whole radiotherapy journey, but very necessary to get you marked up in the perfect position for the treatments.

To ensure accurate setting up each time, you’ll get a tiny tattoo (sadly not in the shape of a butterfly, but just like a small dot!)

Radiation Therapy: What happens.

Treatment usually starts 1-3 weeks after planning and will generally be daily Monday to Friday.

Depending on individual needs, treatment may be once only through to 2 to 3 times per day for up to 7 weeks.

You’ll be in and out within 10 minutes. Usually, you are issued with a gown and your own ‘cupboard’ that is ‘yours’ for the duration of treatments.

The radiographer will not stay in the room with you while the machine is one, but will communicate with you via an intercom and be watching you on a closed circuit TV screen or through a window.

Side effects of Radiation Therapy.

You may not feel anything is happening at the beginning of all the treatments. But radiation will be affecting all cells, whether they are cancerous or healthy.

This is why nutritional supplements are so necessary, to keep the healthy cells strong, and make the cancerous cells more susceptible to treatments.

Fatigue is another ‘biggie’. Most people feel extra tired during radiotherapy treatments, unless they are on high-potency antioxidants for breast cancer wellness.

Caring for your skin during Radiation Therapy.

Burning like a severe sunburn with red, tender skin that peels and itches is the more common side effect of radiation. I found Pawpaw Ointment such a help when it was recommended to me by another breast cancer survivor, and I highly recommend it to you.

More useful tips to help you through Radiation:

• Avoid tight fitting clothes that will rub on the treated skin
• Pat dry rather than rubbing with a towel
• Avoid soaps, perfume and talc. Use a natural, non-soap shower-gel and body nourisher that has no toxic chemicals.
• Avoid deodorant, and use a quality, non-toxic body-lotion under the arms for an effective, natural deodorant. (If you want to know the one I use and recommend, just ask. There’s a form on the Contact Janet page).
• Stay out of the sun, wind and rain and avoid excessive heat and cold.

Follow these proven tips and I am sure you will sail through your Radiation Therapy easier and healthier.

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