staying safe in the sun

Public Archive
1

Hello,
On another thread I have been asked about suncream factors and staying safe in the sun, I thought the information relevant to all of you going through treatment so have posted my reply here.
Staying safe in the sun is really important for everyone, as over recent years we have seen an increase in skin cancers, and whilst this is still one of the most curable cancer sadly some people do die from the disease.

When a person has been treated for breast cancer there are certain extra precautions to take when in the sun;

During chemotherapy try not to sit in the direct sunlight for very long, avoid the midday time when the sun is at its hottest, cover the skin up with a high factor sun cream and where long sleeve tops. Chemotherapy makes the skin more sensitive, and therefore more prone to sun burn.

During radiotherapy, keep the area being treated covered up. Talk with your radiotherapy department about what factor suncream they advice, most will say factor 15 and above for this country and higher if traveling abroad. It is best not to apply suncream to the area being treated, but to keep this area completely covered from the sun.

For those on hormone treatments, it is not known that hormone treatments make the skin sensitive. Good skin care is advised, wearing only factor 15 and above in the UK and higher when traveling abroad. For many people on hormone treatments hot flushes can be a problem, and the hot weather can make these worse. Wearing loose cotton clothing, drinking plenty of water and keeping out of direct sunlight can help.

There are many different skin types and some are more sensitive than others to the sun, and therefore more likely to burn in the sun. Boots the high street chemist have excellent trained staff to assess a person’s skin type, and advise about suncream both for the UK and when traveling abroad.

As a general rule I would always suggest going higher rather than lower in suncream factors, having a sunburn is really not worth the risks involved.

Enjoy the good weather, long may it last!!

Tara
Clinical Nurse Specialist

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Thanks for the advice Tara - but I still have a query - is it ok to sunbathe after radiotherapy treatment - I know the skin is very sensitive to temperature - am I still ok to use high factor cream on that area and continue as before?
Thanks,
Maddy

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Hi

I have just come back frm Fuerteventura. Had chemo and radiotherapy. The radiotherapy finished in March. I wore a factor 30 all the time. I didn’t burn at all but put extra lotion on my chest and clavical area where I had the radiotherapy. If I did feel it getting too hot I put something across my chest.

I came home with a lovely tan !! I didn’t intend to sit in the sun as long but it’s windy there and kept going from shade to the sun !

Liz xx

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Thanks for that Liz - I finished rads in January - I did feel that I’d be ok but it’s good to know that others are carrying on as before. The weather report for the area we go to in Spain hasn’t been too brilliant so far - we’re hoping for a rapid improvement ! I’ve got a variety of high factor lotions just in case. Hope I can control it so I don’t end up looking like a patchwork quilt !!!
Maddy x

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hya how long after radio can you go abroad i had my op on 5th june and i am waiting for my results on 27th i know if everything is ok i will be having radio treatment for how long, i dont know, but i want to go on my hols at the end of august for 2 weeks would this be possible jackie x

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Hi Jackie

They may be able to leave your rads until after you come back. You can only ask. Not sure what the timescale it.

I am sure they will give you good advice but I would have thought as long you keep that area covered you would be okay.

good look with your results.

Liz xx

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Hi Jackie I had my op 15th April and on second week of rads now ,They finish on 27th and I fly to Spain on 30th .I asked if they could be put off until afterwards but was told they had to be done now as they would not be effective.My onc has no probs with me flying out 3 days after

Take Care

Mary
xxx

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Thanks for that Tara - I am very confused

Is it OK for us t be in the sun if we don’t burn? or is it best to stay out all together and cover up?

If you could let me know thanks FizBix xxx

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Hello Fix Bix
sorry for the delay in getting back to you I have been away from work.

It is not possible for me to give you individual advice here as I don’t have your personal medical history. You are very welcome to either email our Ask the nurse service, the weblink is; www.breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=119 or call our freephone helpline on 8080 800 6000.

BW’s
Tara
Clinical Nurse specialist