Laura, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 29, went through a course of 33 radiotherapy sessions, here she offers her advice for anyone preparing to go through radiotherapy.
Ah January. This time last year, I was just starting a course of 33 radiotherapy sessions for breast cancer and I didn’t really know what to expect. All in all, I found it much more pleasant and less terrifying than chemo, but I still appreciated the tips people gave me, so here’s my advice for anyone preparing to go through radiotherapy:
1. Prep the area
It’s important to moisturise during and after treatment, but you can also help prevent redness and soreness by moisturising the area a few weeks before you start. I recommend E45 cream or pure Aloe Vera gel.
2. Cover the whole area
Don’t just moisturise the breast – you should cover your whole shoulder and a bit of your back as well. The radiotherapy machines deliver radiation to a large square from below the breast to your neck and around the back and shoulder, so make sure it all gets covered.
3. Avoid hot baths
By all means have a hot bath or shower, but sit up and keep your breast out of it to avoid worsening the redness and soreness. Also avoid soaps and shower gels that could aggravate the skin – stick to E45 shower gel or water.
4. Take it easy
You might feel like the radiotherapy is having no effect on your energy levels at the beginning, but suddenly the tiredness can hit you like a truck, so don’t overdo it. Get as much sleep as you need and don’t do anything too exerting if you can help it.
5. Give it time
The effects of radiotherapy (and chemotherapy) can last months or even years after the treatment ends, so don’t assume you’re fine to resume normal life straight away. Get as much sleep and rest as possible, and don’t be afraid to tell people you’re still fatigued. Also keep moisturising the area for as long as you can after treatment – the dryness, soreness and redness can last a long time.
I hope I have managed to help some of you by sharing my experiences. I’m also still writing the occasional update on my own blog because the cancer story never really ends, so if you’d like to keep reading my posts please follow the links below.
You can read more from Laura on her blog the big scary 'C' word or follow her on Twitter @bigscaryCword.
Speak to our nurses
Our breast are nurses are always a phone call away. If you have any questions or worries, or just want to talk things through, you can call our helpline.