My Breakthrough
Side effects of radiotherapy
Most women who have radiotherapy for breast cancer get few side effects, and these are mild. They may include skin reactions, tiredness and mood swings, changes in your breast or changes in your arm.
Skin reactions
Towards the end of a course of treatment, your skin may become reddened, dry and flaky. Some women get an itchy or prickly feeling inside their breast.Your doctor or radiographer can advise you about special moisturisers to use on your skin during
treatment.
You can wash the treated area during your course of treatment, but don't go swimming as the chlorine in the pool may irritate your skin.
You should also protect treated skin from the sun during your course of radiotherapy and be especially careful not to get sunburn on the treated area for at least a year after your treatment. The doctors and radiographers may provide instructions concerning the care of your skin and treatment area during and after radiotherapy.
Tiredness and mood swings
After a while, most women feel tired by their treatment - though this may be as much a result of going backwards and forwards to hospital each day as of the treatment itself.If you are worried or depressed during your treatment, you may find it helpful to talk to a breast cancer nurse, or ask about other types of patient support at the hospital.
Changes in your breast
Your breast or your operation scar may feel swollen or tender in the first weeks or months after your course of radiotherapy. You may also notice changes in the colour or texture of the skin on your breast, and your breast may become smaller and/or firmer after your radiotherapy.Changes in your arm
If you have radiotherapy to your armpit, your arm may become swollen and stiff and you may not be able to move it as well as usual. You will probably be given some exercises to do to help your mobility.Some women do get longer-term swelling and movement problems in their arm, especially if they've had node clearance. This is called lymphoedema, and needs special treatment.
Also within "Treatment"
