Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer: What to Expect and All You Need to Know

[@TBird6946]

I'm glad I came across this video as I'm just starting my journey not only did I find the video helpful/ calming but reading the comments makes me feel more at easy and know that I can do this as this for me is very scary I try to keep up beat and not cry as much but sometimes the water works just comes out of nowhere . I pray that we all can recover and rid our bodies from cancer.

[@yerbba]

It's great to hear that the video and the comments have provided you with comfort and reassurance. It's completely natural to feel a range of emotions, including fear and sudden tears-know that you're not alone in this. Thank you for sharing your experience and for joining the Yerbba community.

[@nonyabiness4023]

I had radiation last time I had breast cancer. Everyday for 7 weeks. One good side effect…it permanently removed all armpit hair. I never have to shave my underarms. Gotta find the silver lining 👌🏽✨

[@yerbba]

Thanks for sharing your silver lining!

[@LoveLiveCruise]

I totally agree, we always need to find the silver lining in all life’s challenges. My silver lining for my breast cancer is a free breast reduction. I was planning a breast reduction later this year, as part of the preparation for the reduction I needed to have a mammogram. The mammogram found a small breast cancer. This was the first silver lining, my cancer has been detected early before it is even palpable. My second silver lining is the breast cancer surgeon will also do the breast reduction at the same time. (This is something he does in his private practice.) Living in Australia this all covered under Medicare as a public patient. Although no one wants breast cancer. I feel incredibly lucky to live in the 21st century, in a big city, and in a country which has social medicine, not everyone is this lucky. My surgery is in 7 days. Radiation will only be on 1 breast. I guess I will still have to shave the other underarm. 😂

[@nonyabiness4023]

@@LoveLiveCruise I’m glad it was caught early and everything is going well. Prayers to you for the surgery. And for me, hopefully you too, when I had radiation, it stopped hair growth under both arms, even though I only had radiation on the right side! Good luck! 🙏🏽

[@snowcat4895]

@@LoveLiveCruisemy situation was similar to yours. I had been wanting a breast reduction for a while. Now I was able to get it done and covered by insurance too. I love it. My tumor was not palpable either. I lost all of my body hair during chemo. It has been very slow to come back. I only have 5 radiation treatments left. I’m so happy to be done soon. I’ll be thrilled if I do not have shave my right armpit again!

[@badiaahafs8876]

Thank you for sharing, I'm starting 4 weeks of radiation soon, and I'm scared.

[@currypowder122]

I am just getting started on my journey, had lumpectomy last Friday, triple positive cancer. These videos are very helpful while I am very happy with my physician team and feel they are taking care of me. Sometimes your just too upset to remember what you are being told.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with the Yerbba community. It's great to hear that you're happy with your physician team, and please know that you have our support as you navigate through this challenging time. Be kind to yourself and take things one step at a time. You've got a community here to help you along the way. Yerbba is rooting for you!

[@vdquery6613]

Just finished 20 treatments for stage 1 , node negative breast cancer after my lumpectomy. Had some redness and and sensitive nipple but three weeks later I'm doing well. The staff was wonderful. Not much fatigue.

[@same5952]

I had 15 rounds for stage IIa. No problems with radiation whatsoever, and no fatigue. Started the dreaded Anastrazole almost 4 weeks ago, and while some days are better than others in terms of side effects - such as bone, muscle and joint pain, it had not been that bad at all - so far. I'll see how I do going forward.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for sharing your experience with radiation therapy.

[@marilyn6068]

I am going to have radiation in a couple of weeks. I had stage 1 and had a lumpectomy. Thank you for sharing. Hope you stay healthy

[@vdquery6613]

@@marilyn6068 Sending prayers of health and comfort your way! God bless you!

[@Mariegilbert12345]

Had 23 rounds. Being pale was a benefit. Never had skin issues but I sympathize with those who do as they can be awful. The fatigue is so personally dependent. I had none but others do. Being active helps!!

[@yerbba]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@ChocTigress]

I had my first diagnosis of DCIS in 2010, had skin and nipple sparing mastectomy and 8 courses of chemotherapy. Then a reconstruction. It was diagnosed again by annual MRI in August so the biopsy in the same breast, under the nipple , removed the cancer and had clear margins. So had 20 radiation therapy appointments that I finished yesterday.

[@yerbba]

We appreciate you sharing your journey with the Yerbba community. It sounds like you've faced the challenges with tremendous strength and resilience. Completing 20 radiation therapy sessions is a significant milestone. Thank you for being part of the Yerbba community.

[@Itzkem1967]

I was just diagnosed with Paget's disease of the nipple and having surgery in 3.5 weeks. I will get 20 radiation treatments afterwards. This is the only video I have watched on the radiation. I found it informative and it gave me realistic expectations. Thank you.

[@yerbba]

Thanks so much for watching and your comment. Wishing you the best.

[@carolinaburkholder2509]

Amazing!! As always!! I am battling breast cancer and her videos though me A LOT!! Thank you SO MUCH!

[@yerbba]

We are so glad you found this video helpful. Thank you for watching and being part of the Yerbba community!

[@deborahdyck7398]

I finished radiation, 16 rounds last Thursday! I am so red and sore, trying to air out! Love watching your videos ! I’m from Toronto Canada!

[@same5952]

Moisturize and massage the scar gently (or not so gently if your dr instructs), girlfriend! Good luck to you. Been there very recently.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching and sharing your experience about the side effects of radiation therapy. We are so happy that you find our videos helpful!

[@juaquiene7726]

Might want to take care to find a couple bras that don't rise up to far on the sides ( under armpits ) as your skin is fragile and sensitive. The rubbing caused open wounds in my armpit. Rubbing on bag balm really helped the condition. Yes Bag Balm is what a Vet would perscribe when your dairy cow has sore teats. Works good on people too

[@yerbba]

Great suggestions. Thank you for sharing these tips.

[@currypowder122]

I have used bag balm for rough skin and abrasions for years, it is magic stuff!

[@oluwafunmilayo5973]

Thank you, Doc. Your videos have been of tremendous help to me. I just completed my 5 weeks radiotheraphy last week after 10 rounds of chemotherapy and surgery. But had some peeling at the armpit and on the stitches to my chest. I was given Dermazin to apply on the spot. Also, my chest skin is so darkened now to the neck. For Lagos, Nigeria.

[@yerbba]

Skin changes can be so distressing. While the hyperpigmentation may improve, you may always notice a difference in the color of your skin. Thank you for writing.

[@carolbraswell4488]

This was very helpful. I have to do radiation after my chemo. Thank you for all the good information and all of your videos as well! ❤

[@yerbba]

We are so happy that you found this video helpful. Yerbba is rooting for you!

[@fitou143]

Thanks this has helped my understanding around this treatment

[@yerbba]

We're so glad to hear that you found this video helpful! If you have any more questions or if there's a specific topic you'd like us to cover in the future, feel free to let us know. Thank you for watching!

[@FaithMackenzie-f8w]

Thanks for your informative videos. Helpful.

[@yerbba]

You're welcome! We're glad our videos are helping.

[@naththomas9946]

Thank you for your educational information.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for watching!

[@gigiallen9327]

Thank you so much amazing information

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching and being part of the Yerbba community!

[@shathaomar1516]

The fatigue is acutally what annoying me. Slight itching and burining of the skin. I just want to sleep. I try to go out or cook and clean my home but its not easy. Tomorrow is my last radiotherapy session and hope things will get better after that. I have a lot of work and I am very worried that this fatigue may last long😢

[@yerbba]

Fatigue and skin issues can be really tough to deal with. It’s good that radiation therapy is almost over, and hopefully, you'll start feeling better soon. Give yourself grace and take it one day at a time. Fatigue from radiation therapy lasts for a few weeks after your last treatment. You may find our video on ways to manage fatigue to be helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6Tch36Dg7h2idU.

[@moifuschia]

What is "planning". Also how long after masectomy should we do radiotherapy?

[@yerbba]

Treatment planning refers to the process of creating the radiation therapy field specific to a given patient to make sure that the dose of radiation therapy is even across the breast or chest wall and lymph nodes. Planning also helps avoid radiation therapy to the lung, heart, and other normal tissues. In general, radiation therapy starts 4 to 8 weeks after surgery as long as the skin is healed and there is no infection. It can even be started earlier.

[@sue8319]

Thank you for this information, currently receiving boast tx. I do have skin changes, blisters, weeping. Also very tired.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching and sharing your experience with the Yerbba community. We hope that these side-effects start to subside soon.

[@Joy_M507]

I’m 3 sessions in with radiation on the right breast. Now starting to have mild chest/heart pain. My greatest fear! Developing heart issues… I don’t know if I’ll be able to finish. Don’t know what to do. Is this normal?

[@yerbba]

The cardiac problems from radiation therapy do not occur this early into radiation therapy. It would be helpful to talk with your radiation oncologist about your symptoms. This is likely to be highly reassuring.

[@Joy_M507]

@@yerbba Thank you for your response! I saw a cardiologist and all came out well. The chest pain also stopped which they attested to my positioning on the table since I’m in the prone position. Thank you again for your great advice and taking the time to reply! 💜

[@tarat26]

Stage 3 lobular breast cancer. I had single mastectomy in May, it's taken this long to get radiotherapy - started on Oct 19 for 5 consecutive days. I was told after my CT scan I had small nodules left after surgery and nothing to worry about as radiotherapy would get rid of them. However, a month ago I was at the breast clinic to get an ultrasound and was told they were considerably big and I should get a biopsy immediately. I explained I had an expander with port but decided against biopsy as she couldn't guarantee the implant wouldn't be damaged at the time of biopsy. I finish radiotherapy tomorrow. How long after should I wait to have a double biopsy on this same breast please, and why did nobody ever deflate or expander my breast implant during radiotherapy. I was told that was the specific reason I had to have that implant fitted with the port. However, the radiotherapy team said that wasn't the case and they didn't need to do anything. Why then do you think I was given this expander, knowing I would need an additional surgery after to remove the port etc. Would adjuvant radiotherapy be enough to get rid of a 4cm and 2cm mass they found a month ago? Any suggestions much appreciated in advance. My radiotherapy team were fantastic. I cannot fault them they were kind, polite, caring, professional, empathic and had a heart of gold. Didn't experience any pain from last 4 treatments to date.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for writing about your story. It's hard to know without being part of your care team about the details of what should be done in terms of whether and when to do so. If you haven't already, let your team know you have these excellent questions.

[@CC-iy6cj]

stage 2A clinically and stage 3 IDC sizewise (9.8cm tumor). i finished 8 rounds of chemo and will be having an aesthetic flap closure double mastectomy in a month. I am unsure about radiation therapy and its benefits versus side effects. what about proton rad therapy for breast cancer? it seems to not damage surrounding tissue but my oncologist says she had a patient who was burned badly with proton therapy and is leary of it.

[@yerbba]

Radiation therapy is often recommended for Stage 2/3, but proton therapy can indeed limit exposure to surrounding tissues. It’s important to balance the potential benefits of proton versus traditional radiation. If you're in the U.S., Yerbba.com can offer additional insights on weighing the pros and cons of these options, which could help you feel more informed.

[@VeroniqueL-g2t]

What is the difference between photontherapy and radiotherapy? Is photontherapy more efficient?

[@yerbba]

Most radiation therapy for breast cancer is photon therapy. There is a form of radiation therapy called "proton" therapy (as opposed to "photon" therapy). It is not entirely clear what the place of proton therapy is in breast cancer care. More studies are being done to see if proton therapy offers any advantage to photon therapy.

[@bibitaylor3883]

Very good information ,I always thought that radiation was very painful .I'm supposed to have a procedure done on my back for severe back pain,but I will have to have radiation.im just scared to death ,im having second thoughts ,what should i do.thanks.

[@yerbba]

We understand your concerns about radiation therapy, especially when facing severe back pain. It's natural to feel scared, but it's important to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider. They can provide you with detailed information about the procedure, its potential side effects, and how it may help alleviate your pain. Don't hesitate to voice your concerns and seek clarity before making a decision. Thank you for watching.

[@Alis55555]

My daughter 36 has had Chemo breast removed and is now about to start radiotherapy however she has been offered Proton Therapy which has best outcome???

[@yerbba]

At the present, proton therapy is not the standard of care but is being studied as an alternative to radiation therapy. It is likely that your daughter is taking part in a clinical trial, which is great. She will be followed very closely.

[@liranoronha9257]

Thank you for your video, very informative.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching!

[@sherriclark1290]

Stage 3 breast cancer 4 mo of chemo n 40 days of radiation.had tissue expander s removed due to a infection in my chest wall .I won't go through it again .I'm done 👍.my bones hurt stomach hurts feels like my insides got cooked.

[@yerbba]

Sounds like you've had a really tough time. Thanks for taking the time to write to us.

[@casseroni_bartizzle]

I’m struggling a lot with nausea, currently in week 3 of my 4 weeks of radiotherapy. Is that normal? What can I do?

[@yerbba]

Nausea can occur with radiation therapy especially if part of the GI tract is included in the radiation therapy field. It’s important to let your care team know so they can offer medication or other strategies to help manage it. Staying hydrated and eating small, bland meals may also help. Make sure to subscribe because we are making an updated video about about the management of nausea and vomiting!

[@dr.kemberlyrainney3516]

I had my lumpectomy 6/23/23 doe to pagers disease of the nipple and dcis. Had my follow up yesterday and have to go back for more surgery to ‘clear the margin’.she said it would take about 10 minutes. I have consultation with radio-oncologist on the 19th. At 56, I still have a full menstrual cycle. Considering hysterectomy at next breast surgery. Can you give information on Tamoxifen? Possible side effects. I really hesitant on radiation and pills for 5-10 years.

[@yerbba]

We have a new video coming out on tamoxifen very soon with a lot of information. In the meantime, it sounds as if you are considering having your ovaries removed. That is a consideration for certain. Removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) is not usually recommended.

[@SuperSgouros]

I just finished 12 rounds of Tamoxifen. I had minimal side effects. I used the DigniCap system to keep all of my hair! I did not even throw up once. I am very grateful. The only real side effect I had was fatigue towards the end of the week (my chemo was on Mondays). Next is 3 week of radiation. I had a 1.1 cm lump - lumpectomy to remove it. I had clear margins and they also took 3 lymph nodes - all 3 were clear. Thank You God1!

[@pamelaallen1038]

I had my lumpectomy on 6/16/23 invasive lobular cancer stage 1b and I just finished 1st week of 4 and have to take Anastrozole for the next 5 years. I’m not sure about Tamoxifen but I have had 4 of the side effects so far on Anastrozole. Follow the advice of your medical team and as another person posted, stay active. I find it helps me with my joints. Also I haven’t seen anyone else mention this but if your doctor agrees and your insurance company will cover it, get a genetic test. I was tested and don’t have BRCA1 or 2 but I have the genetic gene CHEK2. Since my father died of stomach cancer, I made sure my sons have their doctors test them as well. I had a hysterectomy on 4/14/23 and week later is when I started having breast pain and found a lump. I still have my ovaries but since my cancer was ER+ and PR+ I can no longer have anything estrogen related so this is where the Anastrozole becomes part of my life for the next 5 years. So on my 57th birthday I’m going to celebrate this journey and my birthday like I never celebrated before. Most importantly take care of your mental as well. I also seemed counseling because it was a lot to handle and not to mention my middle sister had just completed her anal cancer treatment right before I was diagnosed with BC. Much love to you and everyone else going through or have family/friends going through cancer treatments ❤❤❤

[@lovelyleslie41]

I start radiation soon and I’m really nervous about my skin irritation because I’m currently dealing with an eczema outbreak. I’m curious if anyone else has some suggestions for skin care.

[@yerbba]

Starting radiation while dealing with an eczema outbreak can be challenging. For skin care, gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers and keeping your skin hydrated can help. You might also want to ask your radiation oncologist for specific recommendations.

[@tessyk5571]

Madam, I am 4 months post radiotherapy after mastectomy.There is still fibrosis and pain in the chest, axilla and neck.I do excercise regularly.When would the pain be gon 10:06 e?When would the skin colour become normal? Ecpecting your valuable reply 10:06

[@yerbba]

Thank you for writing with your concerns. Everyone is different. Most people who have pain at the 4 month mark will feel much better in the ensuing few months.

[@tessyk5571]

@@yerbba Thank you, Madam🙏

[@ShadowLifeTamil]

can I use soap for body can you recommend

[@peterlawrence6815]

Dove

[@yerbba]

A soap without harsh chemicals is recommended.

[@MaddyGinaSamuel]

I use QV Sensitive body wash and QV moisturizer.

[@ofeliagonzalez2003]

Since Juven has l-arginne and l-glutamine can you take while undergoing radiation. Doesn't cancer grow with these amino acids.

[@yerbba]

There is some evidence that these amino acids can help in people undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. There should be no interference with treatment. There are some side effects to be aware of. L-Glutamine: - Mild side effects like bloating, nausea, dizziness, heartburn, and stomach pain may occur when taking high doses of glutamine. - There are concerns that glutamine may increase the risk of seizures in some people, so caution is advised for those with seizure disorders. - Glutamine may interact with anti-seizure medications, reducing their effectiveness. L-Arginine: - High doses of arginine can cause abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, gout, allergies, blood abnormalities, airway inflammation, worsening of asthma, and low blood pressure. As always, it is wise to talk with your medical team before taking any supplements.

[@CatherineLightfoot-jv2eg]

I had 5 days of radiotherapy in Dec after lumpectomy I noticed different skin colour in 3 broad lines on my back. Is this due to radiation treatment?

[@yerbba]

While radiation therapy can pass through the body to the back, this is pretty uncommon. It would be prudent to show this to your medical team.

[@judybee6698]

Recently had a quick consult with a radiation Dr to see if I would be able to have radiation a second time (16 years after first time). I was told yes. He said therapy would be twice a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks. Is this something new, and will the skin issues be more pronounced?

[@yerbba]

The further out from radiation, the greater the tolerance to repeat radiation therapy. Twice daily radiation therapy, called hyperfractionated radiation, is relatively new, yes.

[@judybee6698]

@@yerbba great to know. Thanks.

[@jomiddleton4225]

I have pain all the round the edges of my right side beast after breast was remove I had radiation. 25 round . Now heal I still have pain around the edge

[@yerbba]

Thank you for writing about your experience. The hope is that the pain will recede as you get further out from your radiation.

[@TheCameragirl59]

Hi, what about hair loss?

[@yerbba]

Great question. Radiation therapy usually causes hair loss in the radiation therapy field. So you may find that the hair on the chest wall and under the arm will fall out. Hair loss on the head will happen only if the head is radiated.

[@SofiaAhmad-rp8sm]

Dr,why my radiation take only 2 weeks and others took longer?

[@yerbba]

Great question. Shorter courses of radiation therapy are equivalent to longer courses in people who have a very good prognosis. The shorter course is not available to everyone.

[@tessyk5571]

Madam, what may be the ideal interval between mastectomy with axillary lymph node clearance and radiation? I have supraclavicular lymph node involvement.While giving radiation to it, whether it may damage the surrounding vital structures?

[@yerbba]

In someone who has healed well, we can start radiation therapy as soon as 2 weeks after surgery. We do try to start within 4 to 6 weeks. Treatment planning helps avoid normal tissues like the arteries and veins in the neck, the lungs, and the heart.

[@tessyk5571]

@@yerbba Thanks a lot, madam

[@rowena5732]

I'll start my radiotherapy tomorrow.i don't know what to expect. I'm a bit nervous.😢

[@Joy_M507]

How did it go? Wishing you all the best!! I have 10 more sessions to go, so we’re all in this together! 💜

[@rowena5732]

@faithlovejoy128 so far so good.my second day today.we will fight..God bless us all🤗take care❤️

[@yerbba]

Starting radiation therapy can be nerve-wracking, but it's a common and effective treatment. We hope you're getting through it okay. Remember to stay hydrated and communicate any concerns you have with your healthcare providers. Thank you for watching.

[@itwaswritten804]

The DR told my relative that they would have a lil pain after radiation treatment was done. My relative said they’ve never felt this much pain in there life and they didn’t say it would last this long it’s been over a week and the pain is getting worse already on a scale on 1-10 at a 10 and fatigue not eating breaking out peeled skin areas of pain not recently there. The constant pain is draining. The Dr. Never said her pain would be Severe. Get this the Dr. also said Don’t go to the emergency room. Since when if you feel it’s an emergency. Are you specifically told prior to the pain not to go to the ER? If you are fine after Chemotherapy then leave at that don’t torture yourself with radiation treatment it’s seriously painful during. Then afterwards your body experiences pain that it has never ever felt. Oh and don’t forget your told not to go to the ER. Is this MALPRACTICE?

[@yerbba]

Great question. Doctors in the Emergency Department do not know how to treat the pain and peeling from radiation therapy, so not going makes common sense. On the other hand, there are things that can be done to help with the pain from radiation therapy. Every person is different, and it is hard to know how severe the pain of radiation therapy will be. The good news is that it is usually relatively short lived. Wishing you and your relative the best and a speedy healing process.

[@mellygrim6253]

I had almost 8 weeks for having mastectomy with expander.I don’t need chemotherapy because my mamma print came with low risk… my oncologist said you don’t need radiation either because I’m stage 1, and I have 1 lymph node involved,but my onco- radiologist is saying that I need it.. I’m 😢and confused I haven’t talked yet with my oncologist.. please help.. do I need another opinion or do I just go for radiation?

[@yerbba]

In general, the Mammaprint score is not used to make decisions about radiation therapy.

[@xziztortheeternal6471]

Just wondering how hard it could be to fix the clock? It hasn't moved at all through the entire video. 🧐

[@yerbba]

Thank you for your feedback and for watching. We stop the clock so it won't chime during recording. Very observant!

[@carolmeadows476]

Is blood affected with radiation

[@yerbba]

Because blood circulates through the radiation therapy field, it is possible to see a decrease in white blood cell counts. Your radiation therapy team will likely check your blood occasionally for this reason.

[@NA-lf2oj]

Can external radiation cause skin cancer?

[@shenanigans8799]

I was wondering the same thing, I a stage 3 melanoma survivor. Now breast cancer.

[@NA-lf2oj]

@@shenanigans8799 me too! I'm concerned I'd survive breast cancer, only to get melanoma again.

[@shenanigans8799]

@@NA-lf2oj I read online years ago, that if you have breast cancer, your at risk to get melanoma, I do not know of that is even true, but I have always wondered.

[@yerbba]

There is a slightly higher risk of non-melanomatous skin cancer in people who receive radiation therapy. These are generally detected very early and are cured with minor surgery.

[@shenanigans8799]

@@yerbba Thank you!!

[@filochard2163]

why don't you mention edema as a side effect?

[@yerbba]

Great question. Edema, especially lymphedema, is a common side effect of surgery, radiation therapy, and may even be more common in people who have chemotherapy although the data are not as clear. We have devoted an entire video to lymphedema that you may wish to check out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKjcYWOXmpljlac

[@gabrielasaez9601]

Hello dear Doctor, where should I go to remove those tattooed black dots they do for the treatment? Dermatologist office for laser? Would it be dangerous to remove them? I specially don’t like the most visible one right in the middle of my chest, I like in Florida so we are always wearing open, fresh clothing. So far a use some makeup. I know this might sound shallow but we’re women no matter what 😬

[@yerbba]

It's completely understandable to want to the radiation therapy tattoos. Laser removal is an effective option for these small blue-black dots. This type of tattoo responds well to laser treatment, making it easier to remove than more complex tattoos. It's safe for cancer patients, but getting clearance from your oncologist is essential before proceeding. Several programs offer free tattoo removal for cancer survivors. Generally, you'll need approval from your oncologist, find a participating clinic, and schedule your sessions. It's important to note that while at-home laser removal devices are available on the market, these are not recommended for removing radiation therapy tattoos. Professional medical-grade lasers operated by trained professionals are recommended over at-home devices to ensure safety and effectiveness.

[@VeroniqueL-g2t]

What is the difference between photontherapy and radiotherapy? Is photontherapy more efficient?

[@yerbba]

Most radiation therapy for breast cancer is photon therapy. There is a form of radiation therapy called "proton" therapy (as opposed to "photon" therapy). It is not entirely clear what the place of proton therapy is in breast cancer care. More studies are being done to see if proton therapy offers any advantage to photon therapy.