wondering what's the normal time after lumpectomy does radiation start? I had the small cancer and one node with cancer removed on 1st April. ( one node had changing cells - pre cancer). Oncologist radiologist has set start date at 26 May, but I've been reading they usually start radiation 3-4 weeks after surgery. I should have asked WHY 8 weeks as my scar is great but wondered what other BC people THINK.

Well today I am rapt to say I'm feeling gr8 after 20 radiation treatments and 10 more to go. Then I'm presuming back to oncologist to start hormone therapy and a month or so later have scans to check the cancer has not visibly spread. So far so good. Trusting this will continue. Well trying my very best to let go and trust.

@JJ70 The radiation people and breast care nurses suggested good old Fauldings Essentials Vitamin E Cream -tube in the bag to put in after radiation each day and a jar to put on after shower and at night. Bra at Target was great post surgery and soft for radiation and breast care oeiplecsn get you one made by Berlwigh if u ask. The radiation doesn’t seem to warrant the cream initially but use it as it will be beneficial in the long run. AND make sure you do the exercises after surgery EVERY DAY ato prevent adhesions and/or the build up of scar tissue from surgery and/or radiation. I Stopped the exercises during radiation because it wasn’t suggested to continue beyond post x weeks after surgery BUT it needs to be continued for as long as it takes to completely heal from the assault on your breast. Msg me if u need the sheet of exercises I was given. Look after yourself. You may feel well but still take it easy on yourself. Give your body the best chance to deal and heal. Xx Along with the cream take a pack of wipes if you want to remove the marks from daily radiation. For me I felt like an animal with the new markings each day &wondered why the staff didn’t do that. Maybe some people don’t mind them but I felt like I came out a piece of meat or un-human but removing those new target marks felt it allowed me to walk out being me, the person, the wife, mother, grandmother but not the cancer treatment ‘patient’.

Moo goo is fabulous to use post radiotherapy.

oooops ... the really good news was that I had clear margins on the tumours & also on the 3 nodes!! Tho I WILL need radiation for 4 weeks .... just waiting for the radiologist from Port Macquarie to make contact re my initial appointment! SO happy!

@arpie @Romla @primek @SoldierCrab @viking1 @Sister @Mollygirl @Jen79x @sandramj I thought I'd include you all as you have all answered my last post so I will fill you in on what happened to me on Tues. I went to Adelaide to have my gene testing done for the BRCA gene. They test for 4 different genes. You have to fill in a lot of paperwork beforehand & advise them of your family tree & relatives with & without cancer. I saw a counsellor for about an hr & she discussed the test & what it means to me & my future & ongoing treatment. As mum died at 46 y.o. of ovarian cancer, she suggested that no matter what the result, I should get my ovaries removed as there is no testing for that cancer unlike breast cancer so I'll just add that to my list of things to do!! She advised of all the risks & probabilities if the result is positive & got me confused & stressed about the whole thing! Anyway, the test is just a normal blood test & they are going to rush it through in about 3 weeks as my rad onc is waiting to get the results before he starts treatment in case things change if the result is positive. If I have rad first & then find out i have the gene & elect to have a mastectomy, then the reconstruction (if you had it) would be more difficult to do as the skin has already undergone rad treatment. if I am positive, then i will have a meeting with my surgeon & rad onc to discuss what to do. I pray that my result is negative & then I can just have the rad treatment that I planned. After i had the test, i went to the rad centre for my plan/setup & spoke to my rad onc & he said he was happy to wait for the result but we would get my plan done in case. As my cancer was on the left, I had to do the breath hold & got my 3 tattoos so i am all ready. i saw a nurse after & she put a sample of the Mepitel (false skin) on me which they are going to use. @arpie you may like to mention this to your rad onc & see if you can use it. You can't see or feel it. It is like "cling wrap" & sticks to your skin. You can shower with it on & it stays on throughout the treatment & if it starts to peel, then they just replace it. It protects your skin from more direct radiation, you don't need any creams as it protects your skin & it provides a barrier so your clothes don't irritate your skin so win, win, win!! @arpie i am so happy with your news & great result. WOW, amazing! it sounds like you had similar to me in that after my lumpectomy, the surgeon took flesh from beneath my breast to "fill in my gap". That area was sorer then my breast & is still lumpy so I hope it settles down. It's funny all the discussion around creams & deodorants as it seems every hospital, rad centre etc has a different opinion. I have asked my breast care nurse, a rad therapist who is a friend, the rad centre & what some say to use, others have said to stay away from! Very confusing. I'm glad I won't have to worry as i will use the Mepitel skin but I will probably buy something to use on the surrounding skin. I use a crystal stick deodorant (Deonat) as i am sensitive to others so I will keep using that. Anyway, i really do get carried away on these posts. Sorry about "War & Peace" but many of you have asked about the gene test & the mepitel so wanted to share with you. i am sitting tight at the moment & waiting out a long 3 weeks. Any of you out there who have other family members with cancer, i would suggest you get the gene test done for yourself & your family's sake. It costs nothing & gives you peace of mind. @Sister you may be eligible as your sister had cancer so if you wanted to speak to your dr or you could ring the genetics team on 70742697 & speak to them & if they think you are eligible then they send you out the paperwork to complete. i am feeling very stressed about the decision I may face if the result is positive but hopefully all will come back negative & i can go ahead with my rad treatment as planned. Fingers crossed!! Love & prayers to you all xx

Radiation after lumpectomy | BCNA Online Network

224 Replies

Belinda16
Member
9 years ago
Hi. I had a lumpectomy and 3 lymph nodes removed. I had radiation around 4-5 weeks post surgery.I had my radiation at a public hospital ( large tertiary hospital) so you have to go on a waiting list and I was told about 2 months but fortunately I managed to start earlier than anticipated. Hope that helps.
sandramj
Member
9 years ago
Thanks Adean. I think the scar is healing well but given it will be zapped 30 times in 6 weeks presume it has to be WELL healed to take the radiation. The radiotherapy oncologist checked out the scar and area so again presume she knows what she's specialising in her profession for over 10 years. Trust the process. That's a hard one to follow after trusting my body would tell me if it was being invaded by cancer.
adean
Member
9 years ago
My radiation was 4 months after l was told the scar must heal as otherise you will end up with complications in that area especialy when you get a boost in that area where the scar is in the last 5 sessions
primek
Member
9 years ago
Oooh...I'd be phoning up and asking asap ...did he think your surgery was 1st May?

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Radiation after lumpectomy

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