Radiation Therapy at Icon Cancer Centre

Hi @Cath62. Thank you for your detailed response. It's sounds reassuring. I've been recovering well after surgery. I've been told I won't need chemo but will need radiation and then go on Tamoxifen. I'm 42 this year so not sure if I'll have to be on the estrogen blockers 5 or 10 years. Hoping that the side effects would be minimal and not severe. 
I've read that Sorbelone, Calendula cream or Moogoo cream applied religiously after the Radiation treatments helps. But will check with the nurses too. I will ask about mepilex as well, thanks so much.

Thanks for the important tip about the out of pocket. My private health indicates that it covers radiation, chemotherapy and immunosuppresent therapy but ill confirm once I have my appointment my with my radiation oncologist. Will find out the total out of pocket cost after Medicare and private health. Seems like a lot of money too! 

Thanks so much again! 

Hello @ARichies, hope you are feeling ok after your surgery. The first treatment is always the hardest because we don't know what to expect. I had surgery, chemo and radium and I found radium. It doesn't hurt. I had 20 rounds of radium ie every day for 4wks.  It didn't take long for the actual treatment- maybe 5 or 10 mins.

My first session was mapping the area and this took a long time. Once this was done each visit required getting changed and lying on a radium table with my arms above my head. In terms of burns I was ok but did have a couple of sore areas. 

I used mepilex which is like having a second skin to prevent burns. I did have some soreness at the end of the radium treatment under my breast and also on the scar line where some lymph nodes were removed. I think radium builds up so the redness and burns come towards the end of the treatment and get continue after the treatment for a couple of wks.

 Talk to the nurse there about mepilex or other coverage to prevent burns also see about what they recommend for moisturiser after treatment.  Also I found I could not wear a bra so used  firmish camisoles for support. 

I had my radium in 2020 in the height of covid so I couldn't bring anyone with me. Check about support but at the end of the day they will need to wait outside.

Also check on paying if private and costs. I was private and upfront payment of $23000 was required and then they process same day with Medicare. My out of pocket was just under $3000.  There is no private cover for radium. I made 3 payment so the $23k wasn't all upfront ie $10k and then Medicare claim which helped next payment of $8k and then Medicare claim etc.  

Hope this helps. Best wishes