Due to start radiotherapy

Hi all

I am due to start radiotherapy soon for breast cancer and wondered if any of you lovely people on here had any good advice for me please.  I will be having the new regime of 5 sessions at the higher dose followed by 4 boost sessions due to my cancer being a grade 3.

What are the best creams to use? I have also seen lots of posts advising to drink plenty during treatment.

I have been very lucky up till now and had no pain at all from the 3 surgeries, not needed chemo and no lymph node involvement.

Love to hear your experiences and advice. 

Thank you all xx

 

 

  • Hi sue , firstly well done you getting through 3 surgeries, I was grade 3 had lumpectomy and radiotherapy and to be honest like you so far I was very lucky . I was told not to use normal deodorant and to avoid scented body washes. I used a moisturiser that was give to me on my first session and just used it 3 to 4 times a day. Drink plenty of water before and after each session , the hardest thing about radiotherapy for me was going to the hospital every day , became a bit tiresome. I did start to feel tired in week 3 but not to bad. You’re nearly there so stay positive. Best of luck nicky xxx

  • Hi nicky

    Thank you for replying.  I started using E45 cream on my scars but found it was irritating me a bit so want to try another cream for radiotherapy. I've seen on other posts R1 and R2 cream so I might call the gp and see if that's worth a try.  Is it best to drink plenty the week before radiotherapy or us it more about keepin hydrated during the treatment. 

    I too initially had lumpectomy but needed 2 further surgeries to get clear margins, the last op being a therapeutic reduction mammoplasty which worked.  I was told this was only an option because I was large breasted.  Have to say I'm loving the new boob, will have the other one done later on. 

    I am staying positive and have been all the way through, kind of wonder if it will suddenly hit me when radio is finished though. 

    Have you finished your treatment now?  If you have how have u found it afterwards, have more side effects started to appear. 

    Thank you again for your advice,  all the best xx

     

  • Hi sue I too was positive all the way through and definitely think it helps, I have 2 kids who were 14 and 7 so I was fighting it whatever they threw at me. I am now 2 years since finishing treatment I had some reconstructive surgery last year as my lump was under the nipple and my nipple went inverted . Hopefully going to have some lipofilling done which was delayed due to Covid but that’s just cosmetic so not to worried. I am on tamoxifen for 5 years which has had some issues for me but got used to the side effects and now just living life to the full. I do still have little wobbles usually when  my annual mammogram . I drink loads of water anyway but just make sure you drink before and after. Ring your treatment centre and see if they will give you cream when you get ther, mine were great. Let me know how you get on xxx

  • Hi Sue,

    I was diagnosed with BC in October 2019  I finished treatment at the end of February 2020  

    Aveeno or just ordinary Nivea are both very good for moisturising your breast after treatment (not before) Just do it as often as you can but as I say not prior to the actual treatment. 
     

    I had a breast reduction too. Like you I was pleased with the out come (!) though I would rather have done without the cancer!

    I have since been 'evened up' so have breasts which are proportionate to my body size. Pleased with the outcome!  The 'evening' up op isn't half as difficult to recover from than the cancer op was. Very different experience. Much easier!! 
     

    In the longer term I have found that my treated breast has shrunk a bit. I was warned this would likely happen. It is also feeling a bit 'stiff' and is easily hurt if I accidentally knock it for example.  I think this might be quite a long term issue but in all honesty it's not a big deal  

    The first mammogram is a bit of a trial but it has to be done!! Got my second one in September. Fingers crossed on that. 

    Like Nicky has said, the journey too and fro to treatment is tiring and especially so as you are only in treatment for about 20mins tops!! 
     

    I didn't particularly get tired but I was weary the week after my last session. I had 15 treatments. 
     

    Overall I found the experience to be ok really. I do hope you get on ok. Sending positive vibes. Keep well. 
    Kebbs.