Hello BCN nurses,
Do you know whether it is possible to have temporary markings done by a hospital instead of tattoos for radiotherapy? I know it sounds petty but I don’t want my body marked like I’m a piece of meat and think I’ve already been through quite enough!
Many thanks,
Jenny
Hi Jenny
I believe it is possible if you ask.
I was warned that the size of the tattoos can vary depending on how “bold” the radiologist is, in the event mine were very small and I can only see them if I look hard enough
AM xxx
Hi Jenny . I’m having radio and have 3 tattoos . It depends on the machine , some work without them , not many though .
If yours doesn’t , I’d say no , you have to have them .
You have a CT scan with a marking session and it takes quite a long time . It had to be accurate as this is what the machine used to target where to treat you .
So , the tiny tattoos have to be permanent , as they can’t do this every time . I read that they tried semi permanent but it didn’t last on everybody ‘s skin .
They draw on you each session too but that comes off on your clothes .
I have 1 each side under my bra band and one between my cleavage , I had a lumpectomy , mine is a deep cleavage .
I know exactly what you mean and I plan to deal with mine in a few months .
I’m very moley , so you can have them coloured to match that or lasered off . Not in the NHS though .
They are like someone has dabbed you with a ball point pen and mine have faded slightly , 10 days after going on x
Hi AM
That’s reassuring, thank you for your reply!
Hi klf,
Thank you, that’s very helpful! I hadn’t thought about options to remove them so that is useful to know about too.
I wonder if you have actually seen one of the tattoos?
I was a bit worried about them after reading comments on here about trying to get them removed afterwards. In the event one of mine is so small that the radiographers took to marking its position with a cross as they couldn’t easily see it. All of them are just like someone touched you with a biro. I am quite moley and have other weird red dots, etc so these just blend in.
This is not to say that I don’t understand your reluctance to have yet another procedure, I totally understand that. More that the reality might not be as bad as you are anticipating.
Hiya I like you really didn’t want them but it wasn’t an option and I’m going to get the middle one removed as it’s the biggest and most obvious. The tattooist recommended leaving it 6 weeks from when it was done so I’ve a couple of weeks to wait. I don’t need any more reminders either.
They mark me too , so they are quite small . My oncologist had one on his hand to show me .
Hi, I feel your pain as I too was very reluctant and really didn’t want a permanent reminder of somrthing I’d rather forget (as if one can…). They managed to use a mole on my front as a reference so I got away with one tiny one on each side which I can’t see- but know they’re there. Like you I asked about temporary marks and it seems there have been some studies into this but short of marking you up each day, which they simply don’t have the time to do, it seems the tats are the only option. Mine are 5 years old and have faded a little, but yeah, the psychology is sadly lacking on this procedure. I hope yours are not too conspicuous and that laser removal is an option for you- unless you have lots of moles or freckles they can use!
Hi
I have two sets of three tattoos due to RT for breast cancer and now secondary breast cancer in my spine. They are so tiny you can barely see them and they have faded a bit. If I was wearing something quite low cut you might see one but nothing a dot of concealer wouldn’t cover.
Wear them with pride as a sign of what you have gone through.
K x
I had radiotherapy in December last year at one of the Christie Hospital’s centres. When I went for the planning appointment the radiographer asked for my consent to the tattoos - when I asked if there was any alternative she said you could just not have them! With the machines they have they are capable of lining you up for the treatment without any markings. So I didn’t have them and it didn’t appear to cause any problems during the treatment.
I love that your oncologist had one on their hand. Dedication
I’m on day 3 of 15 sessions of radiotherapy but they haven’t given me any tattoos?? Looks like they are working from measurements and an image on a screen. Anyone else not had the tattoos?
It depends on the machine , some don’t need tattoos .,
Hi,
I totally get where you’re coming from. It is quite something to be permanently marked.
When I had my radiotherapy they didn’t do tattoos, instead they used a type of permanent marker that remained for as long as necessary as gradually disappeared.
The measurements session was quite lengthy but also very interesting in many ways. I don’t know if it’s anything to do with the machines or just that my hospital had found that the pen worked well enough for long enough.
All the best and I’d definitely ask the question!
Hi. No need for anxiety in relation to this. I had just 3 tiny dots. I’m heavily tattooed and despite my age, 67 next week, I’m still getting them. The dots are so tiny. Like full stops in a book. I hope all goes well for you. Take care
Hello Jenny
Thank you for posting.
It is understandable you don’t want to have you body permanently marked by tattoos. Many women like you feel distressed by this reminder of all they have been through after a diagnosis of breast cancer.
As @scientistmafier, @Kazed and @lorraine say the size of the tattoos are very small. They are done using just a pin prick of ink and so are a small dot which often look similar to a tiny mole.
Also as mentioned by @klf and @elsie1 there are newer techniques which some hospitals are now using so that permanent markings are not required. Although these are not available everywhere, it is something you could ask your treatment team about when you go for radiotherapy planning.
Some women chose to have their tattoos removed after finishing treatment. This is not available on the NHS and results can vary so we would suggest that you go to a practitioner who is experienced in this area if you are considering it.
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Best wishes
Angela
Breast Care Nurse
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