Dear All, I am due to start 21 days of radiotherapy in just over a weeks’ time and would really appreciate any tips or advise.
What cream would you advise, and do I start using it now on the area or wait for after the first session.
Any other tips would be greatly appreciated xxx
I used the cream developed by British radiologist Jasmin Jones. It doesn’t contain any of the ingredients we are told to avoid and its not too light or heavy, it’s vegan and I found it to be so good.
Try to go for early appointments as delays and waits get longer as the day goes on - these machines have frequent breakdowns. Drink plenty of water. You should get through it ok, but dont be surprised if some symptoms appear months later. Keep up with exercises- forever really.
Hello @sparkleandshine
I hope you are doing OK today.
If you are on Instagram I would recommend looking up rad_chat who did a really helpful chat with Dr Liz O’Riordan about radiotherapy for breast cancer.
Some of the things I took from this chat is there isn’t a lot to choose between the cream you use so long as it’s not highly perfumed, and if you are already someone who regularly uses moisturiser you are likely to encounter less issues.
Personally I used a Neutrogena sensitive body lotion but made sure that applied a generous squirt 3 times a day: morning evening and after the treatment and followed the advice to drink plenty of water. I had a bit of redness (it was recommended during my treatment to try and go braless as much as possible as the only irritation I had was where my bra strap was)
Good luck, I hope it all goes OK for you
AM xxx
Thank you so much xxx
Thank you so much. Please can I ask what exercises as I have not been given any to do. xxx
Hello again @sparkleandshine
I think @entropy is referring to the exercises you should have been given after surgery: during radiotherapy you will be required to hold your arms above your head. I remember feeling my shoulders begin to stiffen again during radiotherapy so went back to doing my post surgery physio exercises again
AM xxx
Thank you so much xxx
I had 15 days. It didn’t go red till the last couple of days. Then it became quite dry. The radiotherapist advised not to use any cream during treatment. The only side effect was tirednes, and a bit breathless. It was the easiest part of all the treatment. I’m 5 years on now, and the physio I use for MLD for lymphoedema says my left lung is not expanding as much as the right so has given me exercises to do. Other than that everything is fine. Best wishes.
The post op stretches. Radiotherapy can cause cording to form, so keeping your arm mobile and doing regular stretches can help prevent it or release ones that may form. Not everyone experiences this, I had a fair amount of fractions (19). Just a consideration as you mentioned you have 21 days - if you mean its over 3 weeks, then that is 15 fractions usually as none at weekends ( so less than I had).
Thank you so much xxx
I used Aloe Vera gel and Aveno. I usually scar quite badly but they seem to have done the trick.
Thank you so much for your reply. Please can I ask which Aveno you used. Many thanks xxx
I used Aveeno daily moisturising body lotion which I found to be very effective. I was advised to start using it a few weeks before the radiotherapy began and then soon after each session. If the session was later in the day I was told I could use it first thing in the morning.
Moo Goo is fantastic, their udder cream and their soothing MSM moisturisng cream are what I am using, along with their milk body wash. But any very gentle and mild cream that suits your skin should be ok.
Thank you so much xxx
Thank you so much for your reply xxx
I was given Double Base which was a greasy but very effective cream. Whichever lotion you opt for it’s important to moisturise first thing and last thing throughout your treatment, and ditto for at least the following month. I managed to avoid any reddening whatsoever, and had 20 sessions over 4 weeks.
Re exercise - as others have said, it’s to ensure you can comfortably put your arms above your head and relax. The position you adopt in your planning scan is the one you will need to repeat for every RT session. Hope it goes well for you x
Thank you so much xxx