Within a month going for radiation. What precautions should be taken at the time of radiation

[shirdi]

what diet is to be taken and what are the side effects of radiation. Whether they are hard like chemo? Whether from today i shall apply some thing. I had undergone lumpectomy of left breast. Whether radiation effects heart or other parts of the body.

[mintzz]

Dear shirdi,your battle is almost won.after chemo radiation is nothing.you might get some superficial blisters but nothing to worry i used to apply only coconut oil on them.radiation does not effect any other part.so now manzil bahut pass aagayi hai.god bless you!tc

[sumeet_shah Administrator]

Correctly said, mintzz.

Shirdi, there are no specific precautions you need to take. Just take care of the skin. Chemotherapy enters blood and circulates all over body, so it causes side effects in various organs. But radiation is given from outside and it affects only the area where it falls. So the side effects are related to skin problems, and occasionally, scatter to lungs (very rare). Continue your shoulder exercises regularly. If your radiation doctors give some ointments, use them regularly. Keep yourself hydrated, which you are already doing. Avoid scented soaps and powders over the radiated area. Use bland soaps preferably.

[Hidden in reply to sumeet_shah]

Sir, usually how many cycle of radiation are given after standard chemotherapy. My doc said 6 chemo cycle and in last 1 radiation.

sarika

[sumeet_shah Administrator in reply to Hidden]

rana, the usual radiation involves a 6 week session (mon to fri), with another week as a booster for those patients who have undergone a BCS.

This amounts to, usually, 25 to 30 fractions of radiation.

[Hidden in reply to sumeet_shah]

thanks sir. also want to know how radiation is given. is it given through port? if not than how long after my last chemo port will be removed?

[shreyat]

Hi Shirdi, my mom is also gonna start her radiation in a month's time. M so glad that you too have been through with the chemotherapy.

Can you tell me how many sittings of radiation have you been prescribed ? Also what time gap should be kept from a patient's last chemo and first radiation.?

[kontak TeamBCI in reply to shreyat]

hi Shreyat - My sister has been asked radiation by LINAC machine - after the last chemo gap of 2 to 3 weeks is informed. 5 cycles of 5 weeks - Sat & Sunday no radiation. Like this 25 cycles and last one week BOOSTER DOSE is informed means it will be given on the lump area. Total 30 days radiation

[shirdi in reply to shreyat]

hi shreyat

i have been told to give gap of 2 weeks of last chemo. i will be having my last chemo on coming monday. i m not yet been advised how much radiation cycles i will need but hope when i go this week i will be informed.