Mepitel and radiotherapy

Hi Jodie,

I wanted to use Mepitel film but was offered StrataXRT gel as an alternative.  The treating centre said that the film was time consuming for them to maintain: they mentioned peeling at the edges of the film and the difficulties involved maintaining the film over areas that aren't flat.  I felt that their arguments were based on inconvenience to them rather than any inconvenience to me if I was to suffer from radiation skin reaction.   Have you had reconstruction? because i understand that some of the difficulties with using the film aren't relevant if the area to be radiated is flatter rather than contoured.  It isn't routine where I am treated to use Mepitel (or the StrataXRT) so i took along the journal article and product information (both i found online).  The product info gave fairly detailed information about how to use the film and had some good photos that made it clearer for me.  The article mentioned that Mepitel had negligible bolus effect- one argument they were using to discourage  use of the film.  Someone in a previous post mentioned the film needed to be used at the planning or simulation session as well so ask early.  Anyway I started radiotherapy this week and am using the StrataXRT gel twice a day throughout treatment and for a number of weeks after.  

All the best