Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hello Donnaand family Did your GP prescribe the cream. Do you remember what it was? Many thanks. ... View more

I also have an itchy rash, but no sign of any skin breaking down, just tiny red spots all over the breast.  I finished rads on 11th April, all fine. Carried on using E45 twice a day, liberally. Then the rash came, so I have stopped the E45 - thought maybe I'd overdone it. Not sure what to try now to stop the (mild) itching and get rid of the rash.  Rang breast care nurse, said leave it, then maybe try aqueous cream. Skin feels soft, not dry. Needs soothing/healing. Any thoughts? ... View more

I've just had my 2nd rads session, and just wanted to check the current advice. I'm using E45 cream and will do so 3 times a day, being careful to do under the breast and to each side of it too. Someone advised limiting showers ... this sounds logical if you are trying to keep the breast area well moisturised. I've only heard one person mention it though. Is it true that you should try to drink lots of water too? And did I hear that something - was it Vit C, or fish oil supplements  - are NOT a good idea during rads? Thanks guys. ... View more

Thank you, Blueleyla x i'd heard aqueous cream mentioned but someone in Boots told me it smells of paraffin... is that true?  Annoyingly I forgot to ask the radiologist about it when I got my tattoos. ... View more

Hello guys. I'm very pleased to be able to join the March rads thread. I had my planning session and tattoos on 28 February. I don't start rads till 21st, which is a bit disappointing but at least I have a date and it's progress. I started Letrozole immediately after seeing the oncologist and picking up the prescription, didn't occur to me to delay but I haven't had any chemo I guess it feels very different if you have. Is 5 years or 10 normal for the hormone tablets? I've forgotten what she said I was just pretty shocked it was so long! I had WLE with therapeutic mammoplasty - 2 lumps so they had to remove a large area and then moved stuff around to give me a reasonable shape (excellent in fact). I was warned about fat necrosis and have had hard areas but to my relief they seem to change and perhaps get less. I hope rads won't make them worse. Is E45 generally the cream of choice? Is their lotion good enough maybe? good luck and huge hugs to all others starting out on this. These forums have helped me such a lot already. Xxx ... View more

I am likely to start radio in Feb 2017. A friend has passed on the following tip - quite serious, honestly. Keep a Savoy cabbage in the fridge. When your breast is hot just remove one leaf and apply it! Perfect rounded shape after all ... no personal experience but I think I'll be willing to give it a go! ... View more

And again. I have never been allergic to anything before and I had a lumpectomy on 20/1. A thick foamy flexible dressing was put on, and removed in clinic the following morning. 3 blisters, skin came off with dressings, 1 kept its lid on.  I thought  others reading this thread might benefit from what I've found to protect these areas and help them to heal. It's hydrocolloid dressing. Forms a gell seal over the skin which helps healing without scars or scabs, protects and soothes. Not to be used on blisters that haven't popped. And for the itchy areas otherwise, hydrocortisone ointment. i got this advice from a relative who is a nurse and wound specialist, helped me hugely. ... View more

Thank you all so much for these replies, I only just discovered that they are here. I decided on the lumpectomy and have the op this Friday (20/12). I feel happy with the decision - if it ends up with a mastectomy afterwards I'll be happy with that too - at least I will have tried everything. I'm so grateful to the doctors for allowing me to make the choice, no pressure at all, plenty of time to discuss it. Amazing. Good wishes to everyone x. ... View more