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Winter/Spring 2024 Radiation Thread
Gather here to share experiences, ask questions, get encouragement, and support others who are going through radiation therapy along with you. Please share your diagnosis, any previous treatment you've had, and your scheduled start date along with your radiation schedule. We're all here for you!
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Fall/Winter 2023/2024 Radiation Thread
Gather here to share experiences, ask question, get encouragement, and support others who are going through radiation therapy along with you. Please share your diagnosis, any previous treatment you've had, and your scheduled start date along with your radiation schedule. We're all here for you!
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List of what to do/get/pack to prep for Radiation Therapy
Hey all, We would like to put a complete-as-possible list together of your suggestions for getting through Radiation treatment in our next newsletter. Can you start sharing your ideas here? Thanks so much! The Mods **********HEY ALL, HERE IS THE LIST, AS OF MARCH, 2015. Please let us know if we missed things, and/or you…
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Questions about Radiation treatment? Join us on Zoom.
Our professionally facilitated In Treatment Zoom meetups are a great space to meet others going through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or reconstruction to talk face-to-face and get support while going through active treatment. You'll pick up great tips from others who've been there, gain immeasurable support, and learn…
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Important Links for Newbies About Radiation Therapy
Some very helpful information can be found in the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Radiation Therapy, including: How Radiation Works Types of Radiation Managing Skin Side Effects Managing Other Side Effects of Radiation Myths About Radiation Therapy Breaking Research News about Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer In…
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Breast pain & fibrosis 6.5 years later!!
UPDATE!! I just found this online that says COVID Vaccine can cause Radiation Recall Phenomenon that describes perfectly what I have. I am making an appointment with an Oncology Surgeon since I can go back to my old clinic since I changed insurance. Please read this and I will also post it separately!! I had lumpectomy &…
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Starting Radiation October 2019
Is anyone else starting radiation in October? I was supposed to start today but it took them so long to do the x-rays and more markings that they mercifully postponed the treatment until tomorrow--which is October. I will be having 30 treatments over six weeks.
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Why did you refuse Radiation?
For those of you that refused Radiation, can you tell me why? I am in the grey area and the Radiation doctor is recommending it, but my Oncologist assumed I wouldn't need it throughout my Chemo treatments. I'm confused and just want to hear from more of you how you came to your decision of why you might refuse Radiation…
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Radiation
I started my first radiation treatment yesterday. I’m supposed to receive 15 total. I would say my breast feels tender and afterwards it was slightly achy. However, I am TIRED. I went to bed a bit earlier because I was tired early. I’m tired today also. Does this sound normal? I was told that the fatigue would come on…
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Nausea and taste disturbance?
I've been having radiation for left breast ILC, which has included all the surrounding lymph nodes - axillary, supraclavicular and internal mammary. Increasingly I am noticing nausea which comes and goes in intensity, together with that miserable metallic taste that I had in chemo. I also have a slight sore throat and…
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Internal breast pain after radiation
Hi all. I had 16 whole breast treatments. My symptoms were itcy, red skin, tenderness, with mild / moderate internal sharp pains. I finished my 5 boosts 2 days ago and the internal pain has increased considerably. Continuous sharp nerve pain and even my lumpectomy and node incisions seem annoyed after being completely…
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Sudden high blood pressure
During the past two weeks I noticed that I was hearing my heart beat in my ears. I have always had fairly low blood pressure my entire life, at the most 120 over 75. I decided to use our home blood pressure monitor two days ago and yikes! My pressure was 166 over 92. Today wasn’t much better, 154 over 84. I thought maybe…
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ASTRO Updates Partial-Breast Radiation Guidelines
ASTRO Updates Partial-Breast Radiation Guidelines Jan 11, 2024 New guidelines strongly recommend partial-breast radiation after lumpectomy for many small, early-stage breast cancers with no lymph node involvement. Read more…
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Summer/Fall 2023 Radiation Thread
Going through or starting radiation soon? Gather here to get answers, insight, and support from others navigating radiation treatment and its side effects right along with you.
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Throat pain 6 weeks after breast radiation
I am curious as to whether anyone has experienced throat pain weeks after radiation. I had radiation to both breasts, on the left my lymph nodes in the clavicle area were also radiated and I did experience short term throat discomfort during radiation but it resolved quickly. .I have been finished with radiation for six…
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*** UPDATE ** 12/1/23
UPDATE 12/1/23 - Good news. PET Scan showed cancer is only in breast and has not spread in my body. Still have to do the MRI for my brain. Treatment starts next week. PORT in Monday, Wednesday chemo. Then chemo following week and rest a week. After chemo, radiation. IF that reduces the cancer then after the first of next…
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Radiation December 2018
I don’t think anyone has started this group yet, so here goes. Anyone else doing this over Christmas?
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Shorter Radiation Schedule Seems As Effective As Standard Schedule After Breast Reconstruction
Shorter Radiation Schedule Seems As Effective As Standard Schedule After Breast Reconstruction Oct 19, 2023 An accelerated radiation schedule after breast reconstruction saves women time and money. Read more…
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Radiology onc referral & does gender matter?
After a brief discussion, my medical oncologist hurriedly set up a consultation with a male RO. Said he was detailed, a little OCD (joking)… inferred I would like him because, dunno, I ask technical questions. He named a female RO “if that would make you more comfortable.” I went with the male. Now I am mulling it over.…
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Question about Fatigue and Radiation
Has anyone had any side effects such as fatique and tenderness in the rib and area that is being treated? I'm exhausted and everytime I bring it up I get told its too early to have any side effects. But I literally feel like a truck ran me over backed up and did it again. Even before treatement began I felt exhausted (the…
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COVID VACCINE RADIATION RECALL PHENOMENON
I am having redness, bruising, warmth and pain in my breast that was radiated 6.5 years ago. Found this online. It says it will clear up with Hydrocortisone. Going to try that and going to see an Oncologist Surgeon.
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Anyone have acceleration radiation?
Hi, I'm new here. My biopsy result was DCIS stage 0. A lumpectomy was performed, my surgeon said no further surgery is needed. Radiation is next but the thought of five days a week for six weeks depresses me. Has anyone did the acceleration radiation? I could handle that to shorten treatment. Can we firmly request it or…
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Can radiation miss its target?
I'm having the five day accelerated partial radiation treatment on my right breast. Did # 3 yesterday. But I'm worried because after #1 and #2 treatments the opposite side of my breast turned sunburned red but not the area where my lumpectomy was. I see my radiologist next Wednesday after my last treatment and will bring…
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radiation aloe or aquaphor
Hi. Wondering which is better to reduce chances of getting radiation burns, aloe gel or Aquaphor? Any experience would be greatly appreciated! Also has anyone used both, like aloe in the morning and Aquaphor at night?
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Mepitel Film Reduces Severe Radiation Dermatitis
Hi, I have had surgery for Invasive Lobular Carcinoma and next up is Radiation Therapy 5 wks/5 days wk. I have sensitive skin, and since skin burn is a major side effect, I need to reduce as much as possible. Several reputable clinical trials have proven that applying Mepitel film reduces skin burns by as much as 80%. It…
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Starting Radiation on July 26th
Hi everyone. I start radiation on Wednesday. 6 short course intense treatments. I’m terrified of skin reactions as I’m pale (redhead). Do you have any tips or tricks to help me? Also, I’m large chested and can’t imagine going braless during these few weeks. What do I do? How do I exercise without a bra? What do you suggest…
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Radiation--Reduce Effects with Mepitel Film
Hello: I am Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, IIIC, triple negative. I am finishing radiation, 6.5 weeks with 5 boosts with bolus. I have used Mepitel Film, a wound dressing made of non-stick silicone. It helps greatly reduce the effects of radiation burns, i.e. dermatitis and moist desquamation (skin that weeps and bleeds from…
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Best moisturizer to keep from burning or skin damage
I will be beginning radiation in March. It will be about four months from DMX to expanders. I feel like my skin has healed quite well and am praying I don’t have crazy burning etc with rads. What is the best this you all used? And what was your experience with radiation? Did anyone get by unscathed? Did anyone manage to…
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Pain in Breast 7 years post Radiation
I am seven years post radiation therapy on my right breast. I am very active and work out regularly. I have had very few issues. All my mammograms have been normal except showing fibrosis of the right breast. I was discharged early from my cancer doctors because I was not able to tolerate Hormone Therapy. Over the several…
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Burn under arm 4 weeks into radiation treatment
so I am getting a little worried here because I’m supposed to be getting radiation therapy to both my left and right breast. Now on the left side, they are radiating the nodes under my left arm and by my collarbone. I had a mastectomy on the left side back in January and immediate reconstruction with an LD flap. My right…
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Crusty Nipple 3 Months after Completing Rads
Hi all. I haven't been here in a while after recovering from my radiation after 3 months. I just noticed this week that I started having stabbing pains at the surgical site, which caused me to pay closer attention to my breast. I noticed the orange peel look had returned to my breast and that a layer of crust had developed…
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Post Radiotherapy treatment
Hi everyone just a quick question. I finished Radiotherapy 2 weeks ago and I have a patch of skinon my armpit that is red roar and today has started weeping. Cannot get hold of Oncology team now til Tuesday. Any ideas for short term help Thanks everyone
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Nipple changes during radiation
I’d like to know if anyone has had a similar experience to what I’m experiencing right now. I am 2 1/2 weeks into radiation therapy, and my nipple is very VERY sensitive which I’m told is normal. It has also turned very dark. I have been putting biafine on the entire area after radiation, the past few days I’ve been using…
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Looking for advice on Throat issues during radiation
I had surgery for Stage III invasive lobular cancer of the left breast. There was also a Stage 1 small cancer in the right breast which was only detectable by mri. Mastectomy and reconstruction of the left breast via LD flap and lumpectomy of the right breast was performed. Oncotype very low so only radiation was…
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Partial breast vs. whole breast radiation for left breast
Hi There, I'm wondering if anyone has direct or indirect experience with partial breast radiation vs whole breast radiation for the left breast in terms of short and long term side effects. I'm a candidate for partial but I'd like to do whatever is least invasive especially for my heart and lungs. I'm also curious if…