Length of treatment 1 or 3 wks?
Hello, I had my initial appointment yesterday with my radiation oncologist and know I have to decide if I want my treatment to be over 1 week or 3 weeks? I had surgery 2 weeks ago -Early breast cance...
Forum Discussion
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
