Length of treatment 1 or 3 wks?

Sorry I can't help re which one to go for ... 8 years ago,  I had 2 x choices ... either have radiation or don't!  I reckon it was a no brainer to have it!  I had it Mon-Fri for 4 weeks and then had 2 x booster sessions (stronger) rads.  Being rural, I chose to stay in the hospital accommodation, saving me from the 3hr return trip every day for treatment

Choosing the 'stronger' rads over a shorter period of time vs normal rads over a long period of time, could come down to:

1) Your skin type? - I am fair skinned, red hair (grey now) & freckles - and sunburned easily.  Rads is the equivalent of getting sunburned. 
So if you have fair skin, it might be worth going for the normal strength over the longer period?

2) Your home situation .... it might be inconvenient for you to be away from your family for 3 weeks - (tho regional/rural/remote folk can often stay in accommodation at the hospital & just return home for weekends) - or you can just travel back & forth every day for the 1 week, as treatments are usually Mon-Fri.

3) Most common side effects experienced is fatigue, red skin or rashes ... some folk can form blisters from the rads ... everyone reacts to Rads differently.  You'll only find out, as you have it.   Everyone needs to keep the recommended lotions & potions onto the skin over which ever period of treatment that you choose .... and advise the Rads Nurses if you find bad rashes or skin breakdown that may cause sores or bad blisters.   

I was lucky & didn't feel fatigue .... I did have some red skin but it was only minor. (there are some films that may be used to protect the skin during treatment - ask them about that!)
The weirdest side effect I had - was that the region treated remained very warm to the touch for some weeks, long after the treatment had finished - so it was important to continue with the lotions for at least a month after finishing.  Going into winter, you won't have to worry too much about exposing the treated skin to the Sun - but just be aware of clothes that may allow the sun's rays thru on warmer days!  Everyone needs to cover up for a while.

Take care & all the best with your decision making. xx

I found Rads to be the easiest of the treatment/surgery that I had xx

Hi Blackcat1, I know how overwhelmed you feel right now. I had my lumpectomy   Feb 6th and 1 week of radiation in March. I started anastrazole 3 weeks ago. the radiation made me quite tired for a few weeks and my breast felt a bit uncomfortable for a few weeks also- a bit swollen and pink.  I still get some random shooting pains in my breast but nothing too bad. My skin was fine- a couple of tiny red bumps for about a week and slight itch but thats all. I used StrataXRT  (very expensive- bought online) gel twice a day for a month, starting day 1 of treatment. The aqueous cream supplied by the hospital may have worked just as well but I had already bought the StrataXRT. I felt really wiped out straight after each treatment and  went home for a nap most days.

All these things happen with longer treatment times too so, from my experience, a 1 week treatment plan is well worth considering.

I wish you you all the best -take care.

Blackcat1​ Hopefully someone who has experience with the 1 week version sees your post soon.

When I met my radiation oncologist I asked about the 1 week version but I wasn't eligible. I was interested in it because I had a 100km round trip each day so I was hoping to save a lot of travelling and juggling with my work (which turned out not to be a juggle when I found I could get an 8am radiation zap and get to work at 9am).

If I had been eligible I would have wanted to understand more about the side effects but I guess it can be hard to know for sure how any individual will come through it. 

While the 3 week version I received took a lot of travel and effort, my skin survived and I was able to work through the fatigue. It was comforting to be seen each weekday by the team as they monitored how I was reacting to the treatment. 

It sounds like a difficult decision to make as there are pros and cons on both sides. Ultimately you will get the treatment benefits either way.

Hi Blackcat1​ thankyou for your post -jumping in while we wait for others to share their experience.

If you are referring to the shorter 'Hyperfractionated radiotherapy' - you may find our article About radiotherapy treatmenthelpful in outlining the differences. 

You are welcome to call our Helpline 1800 500 258 if you need further information or support.

All the best in the coming weeks.