Forum Discussion
Radiation and Mepitel Film to prevent Burns?
Hi Ladies. I have often commented on the Mepitel Film that was offered to me during my radiation treatment and how it prevented burns to my skin and how my cosmetic result was very good after treatment with the film. I have often recommended other ladies ask their radiology dept if they could use it too as I was unsure whether this was offered to patients who had radiation through the public system.
I belong to a support group on FB for BRCA gene mutation carriers and this past week a lady contacted me from the USA after reading one of my posts regarding my 'burns free' radiation treatment and asking more info on the Mepitel film as she said her radiologist onc. didn't know about the product. A copy of her messages to me is at the end of my post here.. In the end her Onc declined the use of Mepitel saying that it wasn't FDA approved in USA and she was unsure if it would interfere with her radiology treatment.
My question to anyone who has had radiation with Mepitel Film... Given the strict health standards in Oz and the assurance from my Radiology Onc Specialist that it was absolutely safe to use Mepitel and that it wouldn't interfere with my treatment, has anyone else here ever had a similar discussion about Mepitel to their Radiology team and where you also ensured of the safe use of the product?.
I have always thought USA to be on top of all the latest treatments and therapies so I was caught a bit off guard with her message and her dr's reluctance to use it.
Here is what she wrote
Hi Rene! I am in the BRAC FB group and you had replied to my question about radiation. You mentioned the doc using Mepitel film during radiation. My doctor wanted to know... 1. Is it FDA approved? 2. Where were you treated and what your doctor's name was? 3. How did you get the film? 4. Was it used for every treatment? My doc hasn't ever used it and wanted to know more. She was concerned with it affecting the effectiveness of radiation. Any info you have so that she can consult with your doc would be sooo appreciated. I have another appt with her tomorrow. Thank you so much!
My doc said she can't use it during radiation because it's not FDA approved to use here during radiation. I'm going to start calling around to other radiation onc's though. I'll email your doc since I'm in USA I can't call there. So if that film can't get wet how did you shower? I'm concerned my doc won't let me use it.
Thank you so so much. My radiation onc unfortunately said I could not use it during treatment.
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48 Replies
Amen to the praise and worship!!! :)Sharon Leigh said:Hey everyone. Used my dove soap and non fragranced deodorant today - kindly given to me from a wonderful woman for use during radiotherapy. Day 1 was awesome. I had so many people contact me from the UK and the Illawarra today and many dear friends praying. I specifically asked for prayer that treatment would be successful, no side effects etc. As I am alone while being zapped, the 2 radiation therapists could see me but I couldn't see them. But there were CCTV cameras and a microphone in the room. So I asked permission to play my iPad with Christian praise and worship on it. They played it while they were fixing me up and one of the therapists as she left me said, "You can sing if you want. We will hear you". Cool. It was quite peaceful and hey God was with me. I quietly sang "Majesty" and "Shout to the Lord". You don't see the radiation rays or feel anything. The machine is like a round disc about 70cm in diameter that moves around your sides. Robotic really. They put this thick gel like mat over me first called a bolus (image above). The Mepitel film will go on AFTER the day 2 zapping tomorrow. A sample of it (like sticky glad wrap bandage) went on my side today to check if I get a reaction to it as I have sticking plaster allergy. See photo - wrinkles image is where the bandage (Mepitel Film) is located. It was used in NZ for burns patients and Wollongong hospital has only been using it for breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. It will help prevent friction caused by cloths/non wired bras onto the radiated skin and help prevent burns. Creams are used if film doesn't work. The last image shows my right breast with implant (fine white line in red and green areas), my 2 lungs and my heart. The different colours are the radiation temperatures. Red is hottest zapping area and blue/ purple where lung is. The implant does get zapped but they have done this on other patients too. The whole right breast is radiated but with differing levels of radiation. They also took X-rays to ensure measurements and everything ok. Feeling blessed with so much lovely support, prayers and love. Will update after a week. X
This film thing is all new to me. And I didn't know radiation can be done in both private and public hospital?? I am a private patient for chemo but was referred to a public hospital for radiotherapy. Would it be better off in a private, maybe less waiting time? Maybe more flexibility with using the film? Radiotherapy is very likely happening for me (seeking second opinion on 18 April 2017) but I have no idea if the public hospital (Moorabbin Peter Mac) would even accommodate this film thing if I like to use it.
And thanks for sharing your post :) I hope X-rays aren't part of the daily protocol at the hospital ya? How come you had an X-ray done for this radiotherapy treatment? I am so over scans lol. xxx- Photo of products I used as mentioned in above comment.
- Hi, I have had 24 of 25 radiation zaps at Wollongong Hospital (last one on Mon. 10/4/17) who have use the Mepitel Film (glad wrap type adhesive cling film) with success. I had the film placed all over my right (implant) breast, centre of chest and under right armpit. My radiated skin went pinkish red after a week and itchy in centre after about 10 days. So the film was removed from centre of chest and I used antihistamine tablets and a hydrocortisone cream plus sorbolene cream. Now using papaw ointment. Tiredness/ exhaustion after 2 weeks then again in third week (just the odd day needing an afternoon nap or rest). I unfortunately took Mepitel Film off after about 12 zaps (whilst dry) which was stupid. I was told later by nursing staff that I should have removed Film in shower as it probably rippled off some precious skin. I used creams after this. But TRY to keep Mepitel Film on as long as possible. I have listed below some products I used and my personal advice from my experience which worked for me. Hopefully this may help anyone going through or about to go through radiotherapy.
PRODUCTS AND HELPFUL ADVICE TO HELP WITH RADIATION BURNS, BLISTERS & ITCHING caused by radiotherapy (during breast cancer treatment).
- MEPITEL FILM (it's like an adhesive cling film) - Insist on your hospital (radiotherapy nurses) sourcing and using this product - as it's been successfully used on burn patients and now breast cancer patients. To protect longevity of Mepitel Film (whilst on the breast, chest and armpit areas) avoid getting it wet when showering/ washing. Place a clean bath flannel or small hand towel inside a plastic bag and then place plastic bag over breast, chest and arm pit area (where Mepitel Film is secured) during showering or washing. Use sorbolene soap or Dove soap around Mepitel Film. If not using film, then gently wash with lukewarm water over radiated area using sorbolene soap or Dove soap. When film edges fray, just cut off edges but try and keep film in place. DO NOT remove Mepitel Film unless in shower or when it's almost peeling off. Without moisture, it can hurt taking Mepitel film off as it's adhesive and you can unfortunately remove previous skin cells, making it easier to "burn" skin. If a certain area on chest becomes inflamed, red, itchy or breaking/ blistering, (Folliculitis), then Mepitel Film will need to be removed and creams used instead. Seek medical advice as everyone's skin is different. Ask medical hospital radiotherapy nursing staff to put on new Mepitel film when replacement needed if advised. But best method is to keep Mepitel Film on as long as possible during radiotherapy treatment.
- CREAMS - Sorbolene a few times a day to "burned" areas. Do not use any creams before radiation treatment (allow 5 hour gap say in morning of treatment e.g. apply creams at 6am latest for 11am treatment). Apply Hydrocortisone acetate cream (sigmacort 1%) from hospital or chemist (keep in fridge to keep cool) for use on itchy areas. Be careful not to use 2.5% hydrocortisone cream (needs a prescription) as it can reduce skin layers, unless advised by treating doctor. Try Solugel for burns and especially recommended is Lucas' papaw ointment as useful for itchy red blistered areas. Use Claratyne in day or Phernegan or chemist equivalent antihistamine at night for itch. Allersoothe 25 (up to 3 tablets) is an antihistamine - use just before bedtime as it can make you drowsy. If you have an aloe vera plant (do not use the liquid spray from chemists and supermarkets due to preservatives) - apply this plant onto affected areas as it's natural and therapeutic.
- COLD PACK (wrapped in thin layer of cotton towel or thick kitchen paper towel or a bandage). "Body Plus" (blue gel type) product is softer and less icy when used from freezer. Apply covered ice pack on burned areas to reduce heat and itch.
- BRA - Soft wireless front opening cotton bra with pockets (for prothesis or extra padding). (When possible, don't use a bra - but a very loose cotton top that is low at front and sleeveless to help prevent friction).
- PADDING/ BANDAGES - obtain from hospital to place inside bra (or a loose top) around bottom and top sections of bra and especially under armpit to help prevent friction of skin rubbing onto bra and clothing. Use a small pillow or rolled up face cloth or small hand towel over chest when wearing a car seat belt (if that area hurts) when driving or as a passenger.
Regards,
Sharon - Thanks @esco
I have used the above bras for comfort but by far the best bra during my radiotherapy treatment has been a front opening soft non-wired bra via www.lilyblisstoyou.com ;
They are $60 each - 93% cotton and 7% spandex. So so soft and extra comfortable with pockets in them for placing prostheses or other supports. Colours are black or tan (the love hearts bra was a limited edition only). See photo showing my rad burns wearing the Lily Bliss To a You pink hearts soft bra - aided with hospital dressing for support around bra. Last zap this Monday. Blistered in centre with burns underneath and under armpit. Slight burns on right breast (implant) but Mepitel Film helped a lot there. Rgds, Sharon - Be aware that the viscose bamboo bras above are 75% nylon and 22% viscose from bamboo. The latter has recently been exposed as having been made with highly toxic chemicals that are really bad for workers' health. I thought these bras looked good, but having read up on viscose I would not consider using them against my skin, especially after radiation. Once bamboo is made into viscose, it does not have trhe health-promoting properties of bamboo. See: http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3251919.htm and numerous other reports about the viscose industry.
- Useful radiatherapy bras I bought via TV advertising - no underwire. Pockets with inserts provided - comfortable and you get 3 bras for $29.95 plus $7.99 p&h. Nude, white and black front opening. Purchase Miracle Bamboo bra by calling 1800 997 997 or (03) 8657 5591.
- Update using Mepitel Film. 1/2 way through 25 zaps and itchy red rash appeared in mid chest above breasts - which is typical. I cut away a bit of the Mepitel Film to allow my skin to breathe as it was itchy too. Put Parmaderm cream on at home and Rad nurse today said not to. Although I have a sticking plaster allergy, the nurse said it's folliculitis. Hmm. She gave me hydrocortisone cream to use on outer edge of redness and to put sorbolene cream in inner section of redness plus take an antihistamine - Claratyne or Phernegan for itch. Use covered cold pack over it if need be. Feeling bit tired today which again is typical after 2 weeks. Photo shows today's redness (with bit of a Mepitel film showing) but around the breast and underneath areas are fine which is a relief. The black marks in photo are the RT's pen marker from today.
- Thank you Ne have finished now and slowly starting to heal wow didn't think I would burn so bad had a rough ride with radiation but on the mend now all skin is turning pink instead of burnt red! Wore my bra today with only 1 pad instead of 3 yippee!! X
- Pammy46 said:My burns from radiation are severe my under arm the worst I wish my hospital used mepitel I have been in agony for weeks
I liked your comment then realised I didn't mean to 'like' it in the way of 'liking' that you are in pain, but 'liking' because I feel sorry for your agony. I hope you recover soon Pammy and are so sorry to hear that you are in so much pain. - The clinic at the Royal Hobart Hospital (our only radiotherapy option here is public) did not mention Mepitel by name, but did mention during my pre-radiotherapy appointment that there is something they can stick on the skin to protect it. They said it does not stick well on women who sweat more, which is not me. It sounded like an option I could try if I wanted, so it is useful to come across this thread. It sounds like it is worth trying.
