Starting radiotherapy soon, very anxious

Going through breast cancer treatment Radiotherapy
21

I’m so pleased so see so many reassuring messages from others here and I hope you’re feeling less anxious about starting radiotherapy.

To add my experience - I have pale and sensitive skin that burns easily and was really worried about what would happen to my skin. I completed 15 fractions to both breasts in May.

My skin went very red but I felt absolutely no skin soreness or burning to my relief - other than slightly itchy nipples towards the end and for a week after treatment ended. During treatment my breasts felt a bit swollen and nipples went sensitive - similar to pre-menstrual symptoms and totally manageable.

I religiously applied a radiotherapy cream called Strata XRT which I was lucky to get via insurance. It was a pain to keep applying as needed to be in contact with my skin 24/7. I honestly can’t say for sure but perhaps using E45 or similar would have been just as good.

I was really surprised at how well my skin did and now four months later all I have is a barely noticeable discolouration of the skin which is kind of like a tan line…and a few more freckles!

Wishing you luck! X

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22

Hi,
I was worried just like you, apart from 2-3 brown freckle like marks that appeared and a bit of redness i was ok. I used Body Shop almond milk moisturiser which did the trick. Rest, lots of water and i went sea swimming about a week after too which seemed to help i think.

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23

I had radiotherapy after surgery I can honestly say from my experience it was nowhere as bad as I thought. Felt tired after it but on the whole was ok.c

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24

I also had radiotheraphy. Like the other ladies have said It is nothing to be worried about. The radiographers were lovely and put me at ease. They also answered any questions I had. Wishing you well. Take care.

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