Preparing for breast cancer radiation therapy on the left side with Karen Winkfield, MD, PhD

[@lindatann3955]

I am a mother of two daughters who are going thru breast cancer at the same time. This video is very helpful and I have passed it along to both daughters. Thank you.

[@penniewyatt9391]

I wasn’t given the option of seeing the radiation oncologist before surgery.

[@lissat7317]

Wow! I’ve just had my left radiotherapy in North Wales and all of this was done just as Dr Winkfield suggested. I had a screen with levels on so I could see if I was doing a deep enough breath and help me to hold it. My therapeutic radiology team gave me lots of help with a good breath holding technique. So delighted.

[@juliehopkins5322]

Was it at Glan Clwyd? I start mine on the 20th for one week and a little anxious? Thank you

[@lissat7317]

@@juliehopkins5322 Hi Julie, yes it was , I had 15 shots to left chest wall. The team there were fantastic and did everything that was mentioned in this vlog. They were also really kind, patient and professional - to a point where I almost enjoyed going! Crazy but true! Wishing you all the very best with your treatment and health. I think you will be in good hands. Xxx

[@juliehopkins5322]

@@lissat7317 thank you so much, mine is on left side and I did manage to hold my breath for 32 seconds, but it was hard, my C was only 5mm but as her2 they recommended radiotherapy and Letrozole, but I was I’ll on that so trying another, hope you are well and healing 🙏

[@juliehopkins5322]

Bless you. Sending you so much healing xxx I follow ‘ Chris beat Cancer and now plant based xxx thank you so much xx

[@carolynsmall9282]

Thanks for sharing

[@ultimatevitality374]

Excellent Video and valuable information. As a former Oncology Nurse this video is very informative for any patient needing radiation to the Left side.

[@femalesurgeon7436]

Very helpful video.

[@AngelRHart]

I wish I had this lady as my radio oncologist, I had a man that was not good. He said that I would NOT get lymphedema, I got it and bad. sigh. All he cared about was how my skin looked. sigh.. I had lumpectomy, 5 lymph nodes removed from arm pit, 35 radiation treatments. and I asked if I should do the breath hold, he said no.

[@tommy7fun]

Hope you're doing well. Please don't see this quack anymore. Find another doctor. It pisses me off when they give wrong info. They just don't like it when a patient knows a bit more than they do.

[@alicias312]

At Georgetown Hospital doesn’t do breath holds.

[@LynnDeatherage-q3k]

I had breast cancer in my left side of my chest areas and radiation therapy is a real nice picture of my chest areas. I been cancer free since 2019.

[@memopadilla5931]

hello ... did you receive imrt or proton therapy?

[@LynnDeatherage-q3k]

@@memopadilla5931 radiotherapy and surgery on my left breast and other treatment as well. I'm Cancer Free 🆓🆓🆓🆓🆓🆓🆓🆓🆓🆓🆓🆓

[@ThePriceisRight4094D]

Proton is here direct beam radiation. What are skin changes? Why are student techs doing the work?

[@bracketvilletexas]

No I wasn't told. I am prone position. I notice chest hurts feels like my ribs are broken. I'm 7 days in.

[@tinadujanovic4290]

I'm so sorry you have to experience that. That's awful. I'm about to begin my radiation. I'm scared.

[@lynlawley8903]

So prone position oh then fasting 2 days

[@naheedakhtar4815]

Hi won't it affect my heart .

[@lynlawley8903]

It could do I'm thinking ,practise the breathing,,,and get good cream for after

[@amylee4492]

I will go for my first radiation tomorrow. Wonder I should put cream on tonight and tomorrow morning?

[@jayneteske1963]

3 - 4 times a day.

[@ruthnm5303]

I’ve heard that emu oil is good when going through radiation therapy. My friend would bring it with her to therapy and slather it on after. I will also be doing this when I start.

[@pamelaallen1038]

Hi, I just finished my first week of radiation treatment to my left breast. I had to practice the deep breathing before I started and you should take your cream or oil with you because you have to put it on as soon as you are done so before you get dress put it on and before bedtime. I have 15 more treatments to do and I honestly dread the next 3 weeks because I know what lies ahead. But I pray for all those that are currently going through radiation treatment, please take care of yourselves and rest well.❤

[@Green2Red2]

I was told to use aquaphor, and I also have aloe vera gel with lidocaine. I use one or the other right after treatment before I get dressed, and also at night. Sometimes in the morning if it's not to close to treatment time. (More than an hour before.) I'm through 7 of 10 treatments, so far only a little redness. Since I'm getting fewer treatments, they're stronger. I'm not being told to do the breath hold. Prayers to everyone dealing with this. 💖 No one can truly understand how uncomfortable it is without going thru it. UPDATE: Completed my treatments, and I'm 3 weeks into the after effects. It was pretty harsh week 1, but if you're at that point, just stick with it. The aquaphor is extremely helpful, and also hydrocortisone cream for itching, 4% Lidocaine cream for pain. These can be used right with the aquaphor. You'll get there. 👍💖

[@kathiedito1318]

They gave a scrip for a cream that has a steroid in it so far. So good

[@Tiffthefashionista]

It’s all about money and research

[@lynlawley8903]

Well it's also a buisness money invested ,,what has it s bought us to move on why is no one talking about other stuff like food and also metabolic disease and trying stuff ,, other than the old stuff business ,,,not with doc,s or nurses ,,I'm not sure

[@lynlawley8903]

Why we aren't able to support the staff,who don't belive in ,outcome it's difficult

[@c.catlover4080]

I am sorry but this doctors happy-go-lucky, always smiling bugs me. Radiation therapy or any cancer treatment is not a walk-in-the-park. I want the facts without all the animation.

[@denisegr4194]

I want a positive person! She is knowledgeable and have ideas. Her demeanor is perfect. She’d make me feel Like I’m going to be ok. She’d get me into the right Mind set. .

[@tommy7fun]

Of course it's not a walk in the park but would you want someone who is crying the whole time? These doctors in videos want to make patients feel better and give them a positive outlook. I think being upbeat makes patients feel there is hope. And of course there is. More and more people are surviving cancer than ever before. Imagine how a person with cancer would feel if they had a negative doctor who gave them a grim look and kept saying "Oh, I feel so bad for you"! Please, bring on the positive and smiling doctors!

[@ilikecontent2327]

I think they just like to be positive. But a Doctor's focus is the here and now. They won't talk much about long term effects. If you bug them about it they will wave it off like it is no big deal. It is a big deal. A standard treatment of hypofractionated radiation treatment of 45 grays(in the U.S.) spread out over 3 weeks is equivalent to about 1500-2000 rads to the whole breast. Quick exposure of 1000 rads is enough to kill a full grown adult in short order. If you are getting breast radiation treatments while on your back and on the left side it can damage your heart and that is permanent as well as an increase in other cancers. Both those symptoms may take some time to show up, but it can affect your quality of life. There is a small risk of getting an adenocarcinoma. And increases your risk for other cancers. But if you do get Adenocarcinoma you are toast. They grown fast--are agressive and often by the time they are detected it is too late to do anything. If they are treating dcis the radiation treatments does not improve your mortality risk. You would live just as long with just surgery and with/without Tamoxefin. I am not saying don't get treated, but empower yourself with all the information. You can find radiation conversion charts online to see what you are getting exposed to. And if you are getting radiation lay on your stomach for treatment. This lessens exposure to the left side and lowers the risk to your heart. They seriously need to have less toxic methods to treat women. I am hopeful we will have effective vaccines available. So far in the trials it looks promising. I am no expert or doctor and this is my opinion. But you need to be an informed patient. Be wary of the CYA treatment(Cover Your Ass). You are your best advocate. My Best... 😁 Oh--you can buy a small handheld Geiger counter to stick in your pocket to see how much scatter radiation you are getting... Yup there is radiation that goes beyond the treatment site. Depending on if it reads miliserverts, etc. You can use the charts to convert it to grays, rads, etc. It should drop off drastically outside the treatment area. Inflammation in the body after radiation will last for quite a while after treatment ends. Sometimes permanent nerve damage to the arm, shoulder and hand too. Affects mobility. Lymphedema is another lovely side effect(if they removed lymph nodes and/or treated them). 😔

[@penniewyatt9391]

I just had my oncology consult today a month after surgery. I cried the entire visit, I’m getting better but just melted down finally having someone understanding the whole picture of what Im going through. Radiation starts in a week. I was given a bunch of information I should have gotten a month ago, before surgery.

[@gigiogu]

@@penniewyatt9391 How are you doing now?

[@annaloph]

🙏💖💐

[@mariaarce9100]

Cancer is in my left side 😮