My radiotherapy is due to start on the 30th December.
I am not a heavy drinker - maybe a couple of glasses a week max. But obviously it is Christmas before my treatment and New Year during my treatment. Is it ok to drink before or during radiotherapy? And if so how much? If not no problem at all!
Hi
It may make you feel nauseous or feel the effects of fatigue a little more. I drank through my treatment about the same as you i think. Enjoy your christmas and new year. Perhaps drink some water so not dehydrated which alcohol can do.
Wish you well with your treatment.
Good question @alikat will be interested to hear your replies.
Ive not drank since diagnosis and not sure I plan to as alcohol is known to effect estrogen. My cancer is 8/8 estrogen receptive. But it would be nice to enjoy a couple for Christmas.
I’m waiting for Rads dates, and hoping to find out tomorrow.
The 30th is an odd date to start with the bank holidays, are they doing continuous treatment?
X
Hi Sal, apparantly they only stop for Christmas day and even then they are making up the day on the 29th. My treatment is straight through including NY day.
I don’t drink much but enjoy a tipple at Christmas.
I will however look up the affects of alcohol on oestrogen.
Hope you get your dates soon
Hi alikat
Thanks for posting.
There’s no specific guidance which says you should refrain from drinking alcohol before and during radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer, so usually it is fine to have small or moderate amounts of alcohol during your treatment. However, you might find it helpful to contact your breast care nurse or radiotherapy team before Christmas to check if there is any local guidance on this.
As I’m sure you will know and @purplerose mentions, alcohol can make you feel tired and add to the fatigue you may feel after a few treatment sessions and may be worth bearing in mind.
Limiting the amount of alcohol we drink, is obviously important for everyone to consider. However, many people reduce the amount, or refrain from drinking alcohol following a diagnosis of breast cancer like @sal1. Guidance recommends that people who’ve had breast cancer limit their alcohol intake to below 5 units a week.
You can read more about diet and breast cancer, including alcohol consumption following breast cancer treatment, in our booklet via above the link.
Once you’ve completed your radiotherapy, you may be interested in our Moving Forward resources that are for people who have had a diagnosis of primary breast cancer and have come to the end of their main hospital treatment within the last 2 years. They include our Moving Forward booklet and Moving Forward courses.
You can find out more about these by calling our helpline. You can also call us you would like to talk this through more or have any further questions.
The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, If you have hearing or speech difficulties prefix our number with 18001 and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
If you would prefer one of our nurses to call you. To do this, please complete this form by ticking the box agreeing to a call back.
Our usual opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm and 9am -1pm on Saturday.
Out of hours you can leave a message and we will call you back when we next open.
Best wishes
Catherine
Breast Care Nurse
Please read the disclaimer Full details on how we collect and use your data can be found in our Privacy Policy
As we are unable to monitor for further replies, this thread will now be closed. If you have any additional questions or would like to provide feedback, please start a new thread, call our helpline, email us or request a call back.