Skin care during/after radiotherapy

Going through breast cancer treatment Radiotherapy
1

Hi there, 

I just wanted to share some advice for anyone starting radiotherapy soon. 

I finished 15 sessions 2 weeks ago and was supported wonderfully by the RT team at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford. 

My skin is very fair but held up really well during the treatments. I used Aveeno cream religiously and drank lots of water and herbal teas. Just after the last treatment I did get some small sore blisters on my sternum. I used the Actiformcool dressings, which helped enormously. The pain just melted away when the dressings were in place. The skin on my underarm peeled badly and I wish that I had taken more care to moisturise that area. Again the actiform dressings came to the rescue held in place with an amazing large foam plaster with low tack adhesive. My armpit was very red and sore, but it was completely healed in 4 days. I was so worried that it would take weeks, but it calmed down and healed so quickly. 

I hope that this information will reassure anyone who has similar issues. 

Take lots of care out there xxxx

2

Hi there ,

Thanks for the info, that’s really helpful . I start rads hopefully on the 2nd July ! I say hopefully as have noticed a slight weeping of pus ( sorry hate that word ) coming from my reconstructed breast which I had done seven weeks ago ! Hoping to see the breast reconstruction nurse today to check it all out , 

Hope that you are now on the road to recovery xxx 

3

Thanks for the advice Kaytem, that’s great. I am going in for No.10 of 15 today; no side effects so far although my skin looks a bit darker. I am moisturising but will remember to do under my arm! Did you get the Actiformcool dressings from the chemist? 

Hope all the major stuff done for you now. Liza