Don’t feel stupid, it’s totally understandable to get worked up over little things. I was more anxious about this than chemo because I hate machines.
I was exactly the same, but believe me when you’re there they are so professional, they ask about your holiday while you have your boobs out and it somehow is all fine 
It is awkward as in you have to be in the exact millimetre position. It’s very unlikely they can accommodate you and offer female, but I felt fine with either and didn’t think i would x
1 Like
Try not to worry because they give you something to cover you up. I asked! Also only 2 females, sometimes 1 getting you into position then they leave the room. It is over very quickly. I did some meditation lying there and it helped! 
All the best 
1 Like
Here in the states, radiotherapy is done through your shirt. Not naked at all.
1 Like
Totally get where you are coming from @sharlou and it’s good you asked for a female team.
As others have said, it’s over in minutes, not once in my 15 sessions did I feel uncomfortable. I had to put a tie up gown on in a private changing room. Then through a door into my radiotherapy room - clever use of locks by the team as there was 3 rooms I could have gone in to from the changing room. All very Mr Benn! I had to take the gown off so was naked from the waist up for each zap.
My planning session was 15-20 mins and was led by a chap. I was put so at ease it didn’t bother me.
Tongue in cheek - it flashed through my mind that at least they are not having to look ‘down there’. Every cloud! 
1 Like
It can feel a bit awkward if you have a male radiographer, but in my experience they did their best to put me at ease by allowing me as much privacy as they could before, during and after treatment, and they are very professional. In my case they were treating my left breast so I had to hold my breath which meant I was concentrating on that rather than anything else. Hopefully they will consider any request you make of the team and hope it works out for you.
1 Like
Bless you, Sharlou - totally agree. No-one should have to lie exposed and feeling vulnerable when a non-medical person is present.
And agree with a previous lady (a retired nurse) that it’s not about how the radiography staff feel, it’s their job. It’s about the patient and their dignity.
The lady who wore a crop top she could slip down was smart, even though of course it just limits the nakedness time, can’t be prevented, alas. But small moments matter in these situations I think. It’s all about what makes you feel less vulnerable.
Years ago (30!) I had radiotherapy for thyroid cancer and was allowed to wear a back to front low cut vest that just exposed enough of the chest area that was in the treatment field. Not the same, I know …but like the other lady said, having a garment you can use for cover up as soon as possible and when allowed can help - perhaps as simple as a strategically placed silk scarf with special meaning to yoh that you can ask staff to drape over you after you’re positioned.
On a wider view, before breast cancer surgery, I bought a couple of very cheap black cotton boob tubes with elasticated seams for consultations - as you can just whip them down in seconds then up again - no awkward fiddling with bra hooks! Perhaps helpful for future.
I think strategies for maintaining dignity and reducing feelings of fear and vulnerability are as varied and individual as we all are. I hope you find something that works for you.
I’m slowly getting my head in a place where I focus on chat and eye contact when I have to disrobe. I haven’t had radiotherapy yet )and likely will not have it at all as the zone would repeat some of the areas irradiated 30 years ago and that’s considered too dangerous) - but wishing you all the very best and sending a gentle hug.
Finally, we all have our ‘Achilles Heel’ - that one moment or issue or procedure that gets through all our valiant efforts to tough it out. No reason for anyone to feel silly - I bet you’re an absolute tower of strength in situations that would faze others.
My moment of feeling deeply deeply embarrassed was the hour or so prior to surgery (therapeutic mammoplasty) on both breasts. They have to draw lines all over you and measure you and lift up your breast and shove it here and there to figure out how best to reshape it. I had a male surgeon, a female surgeon and a young male intern all in the tiny room. I knew it was absolutely necessary and they were all extremely polite but I felt utterly humiliated regardless.
We are all human! Bless you! Some of us are topless bathers and some of us are what my mum used to call ‘wee cardie’ girls - forever minded to cover up!
Take care - love and strength to you 
3 Likes
Your description sounds like Velindre in Cardiff and yes it felt uncomfortable that there was no door. My planning was the worse, there were 6 people, 2 of which were men and I had then peering over me positioning everything and drawing on me. I’m convinced some were students but I wasn’t told. I had 5 days of radio and it was mainly women and one day I had a man and a women. Some were friendlier than others.
I began crying towards the end of my last one and when they came back in, they chatted for a while to find out why. I was just so overwhelmed with what I had been through (surgery, then chemo/Herceptin) and it was my last treatment at the centre. I had Herceptin at home afterwards.
I was never comfortable with my body, hated communal changing rooms and having breast cancer made me put all of that in a box and just go with the flow.
I’m glad you have had it confirmed you will have a female team.
Good luck with your treatment, nearly done! 
3 Likes
The shortage of doors must be a Welsh thing, this was at Glan Clwyd, North Wales 
1 Like
Update: I had a female only team and they’ve noted that all of my appointments should be female only. They gave me a piece of paper to cover me today, but they said for actual treatment I will be fully topless the whole time, not a gown, nothing. So I told them I absolutely cannot do that with men in the room. It’s a completely surreal experience, lying there topless with them moving you about and then watching you through a window in the next room! I hated every minute to be honest…I think I’d rather do another month of chemo 
4 Likes
Hi
I have just completed 15 days of RT and I completely empathise with your distress.
I had to have 2 lots as I have bilateral BC. The staff were pleasant enough but I felt so vulnerable lying there chest fully exposed. Most days it was a mix of male and female staff- I didn’t feel able to ask for all female team. But at least there was always one woman present. I hated the drawing on me, the moving me about and the waiting room was the worst. Actually I hated everything about it tbh!
Sending you all best wishes for the rest of your treatment x
3 Likes
So sorry you felt the same, but well done on getting through it! It’s such a shame you didn’t feel able to ask for a female team, I didn’t feel I had a choice as I wouldn’t have been able to go through with it if there’d been men there. I think some people - even my daughters! - think I’m being a bit silly about it but I can’t even put into words how traumatic I found it. I read another post about people who are claustrophobic having MRIs and one of the comments was that it felt like primeval terror whilst in the tube…that’s how I feel at the thought of being topless!
So glad you’re through it and best of luck going forward from here 
xx
2 Likes
How you feel is absolutely valid! And I wish I had asked for an all female team- I think you are doing what you can to just get through it- like we all are.
Thanks for sharing how you feel- it really helps to know we’re not alone x
2 Likes
Sharlou, it is not stupid! I am so glad that you advocated for yourself. I had all female rad techs. In fact, all the techs for breast cancer patients at my center were female. That said, it was funky during the mapping as they drew all over a transparency draped over my breast. You are right that they have seen it all and others are right that you do get used to it. I was sad to read that you hate your boobs and refer to another part of your body as “the bad one.” So hard that some of us ( including me) were socialized to think of our bodies as shameful or bad. Wishing you female techs and an easy time. You will get through it.
2 Likes
Thanks Terry By ‘bad’ I meant the cancer one! If anything positive is to come out of this, it’s that I probably need to undertake some form of therapy about my body issues…
2 Likes
Got it! I’m 72 and still struggle with body issues so I empathize.
3 Likes
Thanks for sharing and well done completing your radiotherapy. I had bilateral breast cancer, there isn’t many of us. I was told it’s only about 5% of all BC.
Take care and rest up. I was told over a year ago that radiotherapy is the gift that keeps on giving and you can have issues much later on. I have chest wall pain from my radiotherapy last January. I had 5 days high dose.
1 Like
Hi @sharlou
I totally get where you are coming from. So much of this horrible cancer ‘journey’ is cr*p. No one should be belittling how you feel about the radiotherapy part of your treatment.
I was fortunate to have all female staff for my RT, which I told them made a nice change from stripping off to all the men up till that point - radiologist, surgeon, etc. I had a gown with velcro fastenings which they opened down once I was in position on the table, which was better than having nothing on.
I am currently needing a dental filling and am waiting for a referral for sedation as I have a dentist phobia. Some friends think I’m crazy after all I’ve gone thru with my breast cancer treatment, and just don’t get it. When we feel too stressed by something, however others think about it, it really doesn’t help. Wishing you kind female staff who have empathy for you during your treatment. Wishing I could hold your hand through it all. Xx
4 Likes
I’m 40, diagnosed at 39. A small, G1 tubular breast cancer & DCIS on the right. Lumpectomy. Node negative. Because my type of BC has such an excellent prognosis, my oncologist & I discussed the research & trials internationally & fought for partial breast irradiation (the NHS considers me 10yrs too young, but I ticked every other box!), which I start on the 21st Jan.
5 days, Tuesday - Friday, then the following Monday. Keeping everything crossed for minimal long term effects, is really all that matters to me.
I’ve never had body issues, & am really hoping radiotherapy isn’t the thing that makes me unhappy with my body…that feeling of uncertainty & worry, and knowing how I’d feel about anyone seeing my body if I hated parts of it, I think, gives me a bit of an idea how you might feel.
I had a little cubicle to get undressed in at planning, and a gown to walk to the machine.
The gown was down for them to do temporary marks (I didn’t want tattoos, so we’re using a temporary tattoo pen), then they covered me up for the scan etc. Very dignified.
I really don’t mind though - I’m most interested in nothing over my skin that causes a bolus effect, & the position being as exact as it can be every day. Perhaps it won’t change the feeling for you, but I guess I’m trying to think that in the short term whoever needs to, can look all they want, with a view to getting the best results long term.
xx
2 Likes
Hi - thanks for sharing your story. I was really interested to learn your team used temporary tattoo pens - I didn’t know that was an option. I wonder if that’s widely available as an option to a permanent tattoo? It makes a lot of sense for women who’ve had little choice but to accept permanent changes to their body (albeit for our own sakes) to be given a choice when it IS possible, to avoid yet another visible reminder (however small) of permanency. I hope NHS Scotland does this too.
Ironically, as far as I can learn, when it comes to NHS administered nipple tattoos, they use semi-permanent ink not permanent.
Intrigued.
Best wishes x
@sharlou
First off, I don’t think it’s stupid at all. Not at all. I totally understand the fear and stress this is causing you!
I hadn’t given radiotherapy any thought - for various reasons - and I wish I had. I’d not even considered that there might be male radiographers.
When I went for the planning scan, I was taken aback that there were males as well as females (2 of each, I think). I was able to rationalise how they are professionals, have seen all sorts, etc. I wasn’t comfortable, but got through it.
I was given a breast gown - a short jacket, essentially, with Velcro ‘buttons’ up the front, and across both shoulders. I’m sorry to say that it is undone totally for treatment, which is necessary. I had 15 sessions, and I did get used to it, honestly - it stopped being an issue.
However, it was only after the planning scan, and first two treatments, that I read on the BCN website about asking for only female staff. I took a deep breath, and did so. They were lovely and said yes, of course, no problem at all. It really wasn’t a problem, in fact - I said it was not about the staff, it was about me - there were reasons why - but honestly, they were completely ok with it. I am quite sure I was not the first to ask, nor would I be the last. That helped enormously, and I recommend that anyone who wants to, does the same.
I’d suggest also, that you tell them how you feel. Make sure they let you know before they move you - it is necessary, and they are 100% professional. The breasts don’t need moving, it’s the body, but they only ever put hands on the torso. Tell them you need warning, becuase honestly they’ll just be moving the body to get it right, with absolutely perfection, and go into their own work- mode.
It feels like such a huge thing, I know, but we really are just one more person to the staff - not in a way that they don’t care, I mean, in that they see hundreds of men and woman, all parts, all sorts, and it just isn’t a big deal for them. The body is just the stuff we have to transport ourselves in - what matters is who we are, how we behave. I don’t expect you would judge people you see based on their appearance, or whether they’ve a wonky boob - and I am certain that nobody you meet in a cancer treatment unit will.
You will be ok. Really, you will. Talk to them, be honest and be yourself, and you will get through it. And keep coming here for the support, it’s worth it xxx
1 Like