Radiotherapy

[Kazza1111]

I had a lumpectomy in January and am still waiting for radiotherapy, am concerned it will be too late, what are your thoughts?

[smithtennyson]

I had a lumpectomy in January too, and have just been for my first appointment to 'plan' my radiotherapy. I was told that I was in the bracket of it just being a 'hoovering up' in case there was anything there, as my lumpectomy came back saying that they had got all the cancer, and I did not have to have it, if I did not want it. Were you offered it?

[Kazza1111 in reply to smithtennyson]

Yes I'm still waiting though

[smithtennyson in reply to Kazza1111]

I am too now as I caught covid when I went for planning !

[smithtennyson in reply to Kazza1111]

It probably would not hurt to remind them though, as I see you are in the UK too and they don't seem to be as quick over here!!

[Kazza1111 in reply to smithtennyson]

Called them today and they told me it will be the middle of May before I will be seen 🙁 ended up in tears

[smithtennyson in reply to Kazza1111]

I think it all depends on what grade your lumpectomy was. I had Grade 2, HER negative and ER positive, and the oncologist said if I really didn't want it, I did not have to have it. (I'm in the UK)x

[Kazza1111 in reply to smithtennyson]

Have they given you any medication to take?

[smithtennyson in reply to Kazza1111]

Yes Anastrazole before Christmas, as I was diagnosed with it in May and then they 'lost' it after puncturing a blood vessel through a biopsy!

[smithtennyson in reply to Kazza1111]

Well I have had it, and didn't realise that the machine doesn't touch you, you don't feel anything and just tend to have a warm breast. Whether I will get tired or sore in the next couple of weeks remains to be seen, but I wish they had told me the process itself was as simple as it was, and I wouldn't of stressed so much!!

[Kazza1111 in reply to smithtennyson]

Thank you for letting me know, I have my CT scan on the 4th and treatment starts on the 18th. Did they advise using any cream before and after?

[smithtennyson in reply to Kazza1111]

That's good, glad its now moving. They suggested 4, two of which I knew were easily available, which is Cetreban and Aveeno. (Sorry I can't remember the other two offhand) I have both but prefer the Aveeno, which is £4.25 in Home Bargains... The Cetreban was £13.00 in Boots, and its too thick and takes ages to rub into your skin. Yes, they suggested using it before, although they didn't say for how long before. I don't think it will hurt how much before you use it. They suggested rubbing it in my cleavage and around the breast and close to under the arm, although they were not giving me radiotherapy there, and I used it 3 times a day. They suggest doing it for a few weeks after its stopped too. I only had 5 doses, and it lasts all of about 4 minutes long. They take 10 minutes positioning you correctly and taking photos to make sure its in the right place. I don't know where you are going, but I went to the Churchill hospital in Oxford, and they were brilliant. xx

[Kazza1111 in reply to smithtennyson]

Thank you so much for your reply, I will pop and get some today. I'm in North Wales and hopefully I will get a good experience 🤞. Thank you again

[smithtennyson in reply to Kazza1111]

Thats ok, just shout if you want to know anything else. I only answer when on the laptop, but here quite a lot and you won't need me to say Good Luck, as its easy, I just wish someone had told me before!! xx

[dyevooshka in reply to Kazza1111]

I had been slathering my breast with AQUAPHOR cream before starting, and have had 2 full weeks of radiation with no skin irritation so far. I am wearing older padded bras day and night with my breast washed off before going to radiation, but immediately slathered again in the dressin* room to go home. So...one clean bra to wear to treatment, and several greasy ones to wear all other times. Some grease does make it to your shirts, so, I have been sacrificing my older, least favorite t-shirts to wear....and least favorite night gowns, too. Good luck!

[Kazza1111 in reply to dyevooshka]

Thank you, sounds like a good tip 🙂

[Rita-D]

I can’t say whether it’s too late or not but I had surgery on 29th November 2019 and didn’t start radiotherapy until the end of February 2020 because the wound wouldn’t heal. I’m hoping all was OK.

I’m still here and doing well. Good luck. xxx

[1KITTEN]

I had a lumpectomy of the left breast & sentinel node biopsy on January 25th, 2022. Then had radiation after the procedure for 15 sessions. The radiation for me wasn't too bad a few side effects. But I was told at least 2 weeks before radiation to put cream on my areas 3 times a day. It really helped me. That is if you have time like I did before I started radiation. Don't be afraid to ask the radiation technicians any questions or concerns. If you are not comfortable in the position tell the technician because you want to be comfortable during the process. I hope this helps.

[dyevooshka in reply to 1KITTEN]

Are you taking any chemotherapy pills now? Am considering Anastrozole/Arimidex.

[1KITTEN in reply to dyevooshka]

My Medical Oncologist tried me on 20mg of Tamoxifen first but my quality of life wasn't there so I stopped after 1 month & waited six weeks, did blood work & my Medical Oncologist put me on Letrozole 2.5mg, been on it for about 9 months having some issues but it is better for me than taking the Tamoxifen. I am suppose to take it for 5 years. Don't be a scared of telling your Medical Oncologist if the medication is causing you problems & they can try another medication. I hope this helps. Good luck. 😊

[Kazza1111 in reply to 1KITTEN]

Thanks, I had bad heart palpitations after a week on Letrozole, will be starting exemestane next week 🤞

[1KITTEN in reply to Kazza1111]

So important to tell your Medical Oncologist about any medical problems from your medications for that very reason. I wish you well with your new medication. 😊

[Kazza1111 in reply to 1KITTEN]

Thanks, what cream did you use?

[1KITTEN in reply to Kazza1111]

I used Glaxal Base moisturizing cream. You can buy it at Costco, Wal-Mart or any Drug Sore.On the advice of my Radiation Oncologist & nurse I was told to use the cream three times a day on the areas to be radiated. I had 2 weeks before I started Radiation treatment. It helps to really moisturize your skin to help prevent some of the radiation burns. I made it through all 15 Radiation sessions without Radiation burns but afterwards a week later my skin cracked under my left breast & a burn under my left underarm but my Radiation Oncologist prescribed a prescription for this & it cleared up in a week. I hope this helps & good luck to you.

[Kazza1111 in reply to 1KITTEN]

Thank you, I'm in the UK and will look for something similar 😊

[1KITTEN in reply to Kazza1111]

Your welcome! I'm in Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦

[smithtennyson in reply to Kazza1111]

I'm finding Aveeno sinks in best, as I'm in the process of trying several, which have cost me a fortune..so far Cetraben, H2K cucumber and E45 cream and Aveeno feels best x

[Vern3]

Two time breast cancer survivor so I have had radiotherapy twice. The timing does depend on how you are healing from your surgery. Your incisions need to heal. I was told they would like at least a month after surgery before starting radiotherapy. The first time, I waited a little over 2 months. Second time was a different type of breast cancer, so I had surgery, healing for a month, 12 weeks of chemo, then I started radiotherapy. My sister waited 3 months before starting radiotherapy after her surgery. Every case seems to be tailored to the individual.

[dyevooshka in reply to Vern3]

Are you taking any Aromatase Inhibitors? I am considering Anastrozole(Arimidex) and wonder what sort of follow up tests or bloodwork are needed and how often. Thanks.

[Kazza1111 in reply to dyevooshka]

I was given Letrozole and stopped taking it after a week as I had terrible heart palpitations. They have now prescribed exemestane, which I am hoping to get this week.

[Vern3 in reply to Vern3]

After the first bc in 2015, I took Tamoxifen for 5 years and I barely lasted on it. The stuff was terrible for me. I gained a lot of weight (which I lost fairly easily once I stopped), hot flashes, fatigue, etc. The second diagnosis came in 2021 and this time it was ER+/Her2+. 12 weeks straight of chemo, then every 3 weeks for a year of Herceptin. I started Letrozole while still getting Herceptin infusions and have been taking it for a little over year. Letrozole has been a fairly good fit for me. I was afraid of bone aches, but so far I have only had a little stiffness/soreness now and then. The fatigue is still a factor, but not as bad. Everyone's reaction is different and as my oncologist said: "You won't know until you try."

As for tests, I have had a bone scan which showed a little osteopenia in my hip only. Once I get dental work done, I will probably go on Zometa (still deciding). Every time I go to the medical oncologist (right now it is every 4 months), I get bloodwork: CBC, differential, renal, glucose, liver function. This seems to be more for my overall well-being as opposed specifically for the medication. I am in the US, so it may be different elsewhere.

[Denzie]

I developed a seroma with my lumpectomy. I had. To wait for it to drain and heal. About 4.5 to 5 months. That was in 2014/15. I’ve had no issues or reoccurrence since.

As someone else mentioned, they’re cleaning up the tumor bed.

[mathematics]

I had my lumpectomy in the July with all my left nodes removed. I then had my margins cleared on my left breast in the September before I went on to have Chemo in the November. I had my radiotherapy at the end of March. I don't think that it is too late for you to have radiotherapy it is usually considered adjuvant therapy so that the cancer will not come back. I am still here 12 years later. Take care and love

[macor]

I don't think it is too late either. I had my initial surgery in February of 2017...chemo and then a revision of surgery to clear margins in July...then started radiation in August I believe, Had 33 visits then. Good Luck!!

[Kazza1111]

Thank you everyone, you have been very helpful 😍

[Jack2019]

Aside from the Glaxal Base cream I put on immediately after treatment I was also advised to put a cloth soaked in magnesium salts on the breast for about 20 minutes , I did that in the evenings and followed it with more Glaxal. I had 24 days of whole breast and 5 targeted, and had no skin issues.