Radiation therapy is painless. You may feel some discomfort from lying in the required position, but this is generally short-lived. After the session, you're free to go about your regular activities. Take any self-care steps at home that your doctor or nurse recommends, such as taking care of your skin.
The soreness usually goes away within 3 to 4 weeks after ending the treatment. Towards the end of the radiotherapy, the skin might break down, especially under the breast.
The radiation treatment procedure is painless, but it may cause some skin discomfort over time.
Swelling & soreness
For some people, radiation therapy can cause fluid to temporarily build up in or around the breast. Radiation can also cause your breast, shoulder, or arm to feel sore or stiff and inflexible. For stiff shoulders, talk to your radiation treatment team about exercises you can do to stay flexible.
The most common early side effects of radiation therapy in breast cancer patients are skin irritation and fatigue. Radiation therapy can last anywhere from one to six weeks.
The main short-term side effects of external beam radiation therapy to the breast are: Swelling in the breast. Skin changes in the treated area similar to a sunburn (redness, skin peeling, darkening of the skin) Fatigue.
More than 60% of NPC patients receiving curative-intent radiotherapy suffered from a weight loss greater than 5% during the treatment [8], [9].
Don't wear tight clothing over the treatment area. It's important not to rub, scrub or scratch any sensitive spots. Also avoid putting anything that is very hot or very cold—such as heating pads or ice packs—on your treated skin.
Fatigue is common during radiation therapy and may last for several weeks after treatment ends. Fatigue is mainly a short-term problem, but for some, it can persist [11-12]. You may feel like you don't have any energy and may feel tired all the time.
Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and undergarments in the treatment area. Avoid tight clothing that will rub up against your skin, including underwire bras. Don't use makeup, perfumes, powders, or aftershave in the treatment area. Don't put tape on your skin in the treated area.
Delivery of the radiation may last only a few minutes, but expect to spend 15 to 45 minutes for each session, as it can take several minutes to set you up in the exact same position each day. This step ensures precise radiation therapy delivery.
External beam or brachytherapy-based partial-breast radiation is generally given once or twice a day for 5 to 10 days, with each treatment taking up to half an hour.
A clinical trial is testing a one-time, high-dose, and highly focused radiation treatment called stereotactic radiotherapy for early-stage breast cancer. Standard radiation treatment ranges from 16-33 treatments delivered to the entire breast over a period of three to six weeks.
Breast cancer surgery, and sometimes radiotherapy, may make your chest area feel particularly sensitive. Wearing a bra may make you feel more comfortable, but this isn't always the case. Your surgeon or breast care nurse may advise you on what bra to wear depending on the type of surgery you have had.
Radiation: May cause pain, burning, swelling, and skin discoloration (typically red) at the site of radiation (often the breast). There may even be blistering or peeling of the skin. In rare cases, the radiation may burn a bit of the lung and cause it to swell (pneumonitis).
While it's more common for people to gain weight during and after treatment, some people lose weight. Gaining or losing a few pounds is normal, but a considerable weight change — say 5% to 10% of your total body weight — could have an effect on your health.
The most common early side effects are fatigue (feeling tired) and skin changes. Other early side effects usually are related to the area being treated, such as hair loss and mouth problems when radiation treatment is given to this area.
Does Radiation Oncology Have Fewer Side Effects Compared to Chemotherapy? Radiation oncology and chemotherapy are both effective cancer treatments; however, they are different in many ways. Radiation oncology is localized: it targets only the affected area of the body, and therefore, tends to have fewer side effects.
Get plenty of rest
Radiation therapy can make you feel more tired than normal. Try to get enough sleep at night. Being active when you can may help you sleep better. Ask for help when you need it and try to focus on the most important things you need to do.
Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, and other hard, dry foods such as chips or pretzels. It's also best to avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods if you are experiencing these symptoms. Your care team can recommend nutrient-based oral care solutions if you are experiencing mucositis or mouth sores caused by cancer treatment.
Almost all patients are able to drive while receiving radiotherapy treatment. However, with some types of cancer, driving may NOT be recommended due to fatigue or strong pain medication. Your physician will be able to address your specific case.
Radiation resistance is a serious issue in radiotherapy. Increasing evidence indicates that the human gut microbiome plays a role in the development of radiation resistance. Vitamin D is an important supplement for cancer patients treated with radiotherapy.
Many people having radiotherapy feel tired (fatigued) a lot of the time or become tired very easily from doing everyday activities. This usually starts during treatment and can continue for several weeks or months after treatment finishes. It can help to: get plenty of rest.
While being treated, many people experience fatigue and sensitive skin at the site of radiation therapy. You may also experience emotional distress during radiation therapy. It is important to rest and take care of yourself during radiation therapy.