Radiation-induced fibrosis - deep oscillation therapy?

Five months after radiotherapy in May 24 (15 sessions), I suddenly couldn’t raise my arm above my shoulder! I had sharp pain through my breast, reconstruction and armpit, cording and new redness in the armpit and under the mastectomy scar. Secondaries ruled out thankfully, but biopsy, ultrasound, MRI & PET scans have confirmed radiation fibrosis in skin, lung and armpit.

Lots of research later, including the brilliant Jen McKenzie videos, it seems like it’s quite common, although there is only a short one-line reference to it as a possible late effect of radiotherapy in the Breast Cancer Now booklet I was given last year by my surgeon. It’s certainly not publicised enough as a problem and can be debilitating.

My oncologist told me that the fibrosis is likely to get worse and the skin on my breast & armpit might go hard, like wood! Unfortunately, no real help apart from ‘see the physio’, massage it and stretch. I absolutely refused to believe that nothing could be done about my skin and found a local lady qualified in manual lymphatic drainage, scar management and fibrosis treatment.

She did a 1/2 hour Deep Oscillation Therapy (DOT) treatment, and no joke, the results were immediate. Noticeably softer, more flexible skin and the hard lumps that had formed on the edge of my scar and implant have almost disappeared. I’ve now had 2 treatments and will need several more. I’ve also been stretching daily now for 4 months and while I still have pain and stiffness in my armpit, have largely regained my flexibility, so feel I’m getting there.

Has anyone else got experience of DOT? Honestly, I want to shout about it from the rooftops as I know it’s going to reduce my discomfort and improve my ongoing quality of life.

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I’m really interested in your post, thank you for sharing. I feel my breast has become hardy and lumpy since radiotherapy but I don’t currently have the shoulder/lung fibrosis which you mention. I’ve been told to massage it, but I’m finding it quite triggering, painful and also isn’t doing anything to get rid of the lumpiness. Where did you get the DOT done, was it in a hospital or a beauty clinic? Did your oncologist/surgeon agree it was ok? I will bring it up at my next appointment. Thanks

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Hi Jess_1
I think it’s really hard to self-massage. I also find it painful and am not sure if I’m doing it right, ie the right pressure or in the right direction for lymph drainage. My DOT therapist has also shown me how to massage so I’m doing my best with it!

The PhysioPod UK website has a therapist map. Mine is a private therapist but DOT is NHS approved and so is offered at some NHS sites, though sadly, none near me.