i guess I could wait until I see the radiotherapy doctor to ask this question but, do the radiation rays go right through you or do they stop partway in ie at the site of the cancer? So if the cancer is in my breast will the radiation rays hit, for example, my lungs, spleen, back muscles, etc?

Hi Bravo, This was the exact thing I was very concerned about. YES there is a new method now called Breast Radiotherpay with Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) where we the patient hold our breath when told and hold it tell told to let go (20 seconds) and this means our lungs and hear are stretched longwise and also pulled away from the breast wall. here's a Wikipedia explanation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_inspiration_breath-hold. My oncologist confirmed my research that they do use it particularly with women with left breast cancer. Its wonderful all the new research they are doing and have done bringing things like DIBH to us to lessen the damage to our organs. Best of luck. I start radiation on 26/5. for 30 sessions.

Hi ladies. I just read your post Sandram and i just wanted to say that i began my radiation therapy last week. My cancer was in my left breast and i am having Deep Inspiration Breath Hold. My oncologist showed me the CT scan yesterday so I could see how the radiation works. It was fascinating. I could see how my heart moved out of the way when my breath was held. I dont even have any residual radiation on my heart. So....the next three weeks of Rad wont be as scarey :smiley:

I had radiotherapy on my mastectomy scar and the area is still hard after 2 1/2 years from radiotherapy damage. Not sure if it’s going to improve much more. It has softened a bit, after reconstruction. Had some of the hard bits cut out. Still worth having it. All the best with your radiotherapy.

The radiation shouldn't cause a shape change but it may cause some firmness of the breast/scar tissue. Colour change would depend on the severity of a skin reaction and how that heals but I wouldn't expect any.

@melclarity - Fork Mel, you have been through the wringer! Makes me sound like a sook. Funny how individual we are as on FEC I just has small palps and now on Docetaxol sp everything sucks. I refused a PICC line re too intrusive and only have 2 rounds chemo to go. You had major issues. But you have a spring in your voice, I can hear it! Thank you for some perspective and glad all is well now xxx

Radiotherapy details | BCNA Online Network

39 Replies

viking1
Member
8 years ago
@melclarity - Fork Mel, you have been through the wringer! Makes me sound like a sook. Funny how individual we are as on FEC I just has small palps and now on Docetaxol sp everything sucks. I refused a PICC line re too intrusive and only have 2 rounds chemo to go. You had major issues. But you have a spring in your voice, I can hear it! Thank you for some perspective and glad all is well now xxx
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
Sorry all, I posted this in the wrong thread LOL...x Melinda
melclarity
Member
8 years ago
I just wanted to add, that back in 2011 when I had radiation at first diagnosis I had a history of heart palpitations, but it was rare. 6 months after treatment I started to get them relentlessly, til 1 day I was alone and passed out, ended up in hospital with possible heart muscle damage as it was equivalent to running a marathon they said. It had been going for 10hrs..big mistake.

So I ended up having a heart ablation done, and it cured it! they just cauterize the nerve pathways across the heart, so its not the function of the heart thats the problem. 6yrs on and am great.

I also wanted to say however while on FEC in 2015 my heart was constantly labouring and beating fast, all over the place...so it affected it greatly! It has settled down now..but I cannot exercise like an athlete for many reasons and chemo is a major culprit...

Melinda xo
Romla
Member
8 years ago
Thought this might be of interest @sandramj

Respiratory Gating for Radiation Therapy With Breast Cancer
https://apple.news/AczbYoR4_RRS4Up1Ms7OKDg
viking1
Member
8 years ago
Thank you Lucy and Joey xx
viking1
Member
8 years ago
@Bravo I am really glad you are having a good follow through via medical personnel during your treatment. Mine started out that way with surgery as I only saw the one surgeon and his team. When 'passed over' to chemo oncology I have had a different registrar for most meetings and only 2 appointments with an actual DR. I am a public patient in a teaching hospital so I guess this can be par for the course. But I get a bit irked having to look up drug names and tests I have had in my journal (thank god I am a notetaker! and thank god for this marvellous little BCNA journal!) when a reg. asks me what drug I had for x, y and z because they can't seem to locate it in my file. I also do a fair bit of chasing up paperwork and making sure my chemo onc has it before my appointment. This involves dealing with happy and unhappy receptionists. I am always polite but I often wonder how people who can't advocate for themselves or are too bloody worn out to do this get along! I am having a whinge as feel a bit like I am being passed from pillor to post at the moment. I felt like saying to my reg. chemo onc last week "how the hell would I know what they infused me with when I had a temp of 39.9 and could barely see straight? Read the discharge summary! Oh, I forgot, you don't have it ... it's been sailing around the hospital waiting for me to track it down!" But of course I wouldn't. Oh to be a private patient!? I realise these are first world problems and in another country I'd be lucky to have a Dr or treatment.
JoeyLiz
Member
8 years ago
The radiation shouldn't cause a shape change but it may cause some firmness of the breast/scar tissue. Colour change would depend on the severity of a skin reaction and how that heals but I wouldn't expect any.
Anonymous
Not applicable
8 years ago
I had radiotherapy on my mastectomy scar and the area is still hard after 2 1/2 years from radiotherapy damage. Not sure if it’s going to improve much more. It has softened a bit, after reconstruction. Had some of the hard bits cut out. Still worth having it. All the best with your radiotherapy.
viking1
Member
8 years ago
My rad onc said that when I had rad to my lumpectomy scar side and to my upper chest nodes where axillary surgery can't reach I might have changes to the way my breast looks. I didn't follow this up yet but is this so? I was happy with my lumpectomy aesthetically ... is the rad going to cause changes to breast shape or colour permanently?
BoraBora
Member
9 years ago
Hi Bravo I had 7 weeks of radiation 16 years ago and had no problem with burning. I used aloe Vera gel straight after treatment and smothered it on. My regime was a 9 day fortnight and for the last few weeks I opted for a 8 day fortnight. x