Radiotherapy Tips

IBC Network UK Radiotherapy

You must do the post mastectomy physiotherapy exercises so that you can hold your arm over your head while receiving radiotherapy. Treatment may be delayed if you’re unable to do this. In the UK you should receive 15 sessions of radiotherapy with a boost/bolus (this is a piece of material that covers the mastectomy scar to concentrate radiation in this area). Radiotherapy should commence around 4 weeks after mastectomy. More information can be found from the international standard of care.

This list of tips is made up from advice from members of our support group, it is anecdotal, not evidence based. The list is split into sections:

Before radiotherapy
During radiotherapy
General Tips
Recommended creams/gels

  • Do your physiotherapy exercises, radiotherapy will be delayed if you can't hold your arm over your head.

    At the radiotherapy planning appointment, your skin is marked with a pen and tiny dot tattoos so that they can target the radiation accurately. The ink can stay wet for a while afterwards. Wear an old top so that it doesn't matter if it gets stained by the ink.

    If mastectomy is on the left side, you may have to hold your breath during radiotherapy for a few seconds (deep inspiration breath hold). This helps protect the heart and lung. Try practising taking a deep breath lying down and holding that breath. The more you practise the easier it becomes. Having expelled the air repeat taking deep breaths.

  • Pen can be used during sessions and mark bras/underwear. Buy Ace bleach to make it easier to remove it from clothing.

    Remember to stay still. Radiographers will tell you just to sneeze/cough straight into the air.

    An alarm goes off when the radiographer leaves the room, don't be concerned when you hear this.

    If you have a lymphoedema sleeve avoid wearing it during sessions as it goes fuzzy.

    You may have to stay still as an X-ray may be needed to ensure you're lined up correctly before treatment begins. Be prepared to be cold some days.

  • Have a lie down for a while after each session, with the area exposed to the air. This will help reduce burning and the rest will help too.

    Fatigue and skin reactions increase as you radiotherapy continues and reach their peak about 2 weeks after you finish. Bear this in mind if you are planning a holiday or party after finishing treatment and don't plan anything too energetic or where you can't rest during the day.

    Ask if there is a cream that they can give you to take home to put on blistered skin on your last session, rather than have to come back a few weeks later. Some units have cream they give you for free but don't give it out automatically because it's expensive.

    Avoid perfumed body products when washing/showering.

    Eating 90 grams of protein during radiotherapy and for 2 weeks afterwards aids healing and prevents fatigue.

  • This is a list of various creams our support group members found effective, you do not need to use them all, they are simply suggestions from the support group. Remember to apply cream to the whole area (including the exit area on your back).

    E45

    Aloe Vera cream

    Aqueous cream

    Flamazine

    Intrasite gel

    MooGoo

    Radiaderm R1 Cooling Gel and R2 Soothing Lotion can be used from day 1 of radiotherapy to 14 days after finishing radiotherapy treatment.