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In Treatment For Breast Cancer: Managing Your Medical Care

Practical Tips While Undergoing Radiation

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This discussion about radiation is divided into: side effects and what to do about them and general tips.

SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM

There is likely to be some degree of fatigue, pain or other unpleasant side effects. Side effects are a price for regaining health or at least minimizing the effects of cancer. Most people would say the price is small compared to the potential reward.

There may be no side effects to start, but they may accumulate. Some side effects may linger after treatment ends.

Nausea and Vomiting:

  • Radiation can cause nausea, vomiting and dry heaves – sometimes even before a radiation session.
  • There are steps to take both before and after radiation to help reduce the possibility of nausea or vomiting, or the severity. For instance, relax before radiation. Afterward, eat small, easy to digest, meals of foods that are easy on the stomach.
  • If you find you get queasy after treatment, it may because you have food in your stomach.
    • Try fasting for several hours before and after each treatment. 
    • If nausea continues, let your radiation oncologist know. He or she can prescribe anti-nausea medication.
  • Ask your doctor about medications to control nausea or vomiting. 
  • Keep track of your symptoms to help a discussion with your doctor or other health care provider. We have a symptoms diary you can use to keep track. When you are ready to see a doctor, you can change your diary into an easy to read graph.
  • For more information, and to get to the symptoms chart, see “To Learn More.”

Fatigue

Fatigue is common during radiation for breast cancer. The main reason for fatigue is that your body is building tissues to repair the damage done by treatment.  The process demands energy. Fatigue may also be related to other aspects of the disease or the stress of having cancer. Fatigue can be particularly difficult because it is the side effect that most often interferes with daily life. Fatigue can be due to a number of causes.There are several techniques that can help such as:

  • Get plenty of sleep at night. 
  • Stay active during the day. 
  • Take a nap if needed. 
  • Plan your schedule around when you feel energized. 
  • For other ideas, see the document in “To Learn More.”

Pain

  • Pain does not have to be part of a health condition. If you have pain, speak with your doctor about alternatives for getting rid of it, or at least decreasing how much it hurts. If your doctor’s remedies don't work, seek out a doctor who specializes in treating pain.
  • You can receive what is known as Palliative care at the same time as you work to cure your condition.

Skin Changes

  • Radiation therapy is likely to cause skin changes. Many of the changes are only temporary. 
  • Take extra care of your skin during radiation therapy. Be gentle. Do not rub, scrub, or scratch.
  • Be careful not to wash off the marks you need for radiation therapy.  (For more information, see the document in “To Learn More.”)

Watch For Other Side Effects And Learn When To Report Them

  • There may be no side effects to start, but they may accumulate.
  • Ask your doctor what side effects to report and when to make a report. For instance, should you only call during office hours, or 24 hours a day?
  • Keep track of side effects so that you can report to your doctor accurately when you see each other. Also keep track of questions to ask. Survivorship A to Z provides a Symptoms Chart to help you keep track of symptoms. We also provide a prioritizer which lets you keep track of your questions, and then lets you prioritize them with a push of a button before you see a doctor.

AVOID PREGNANCY

Radiation can be harmful to a fetus. Women of childbearing age are advised to avoid conceiving while treatment is under way.

ADDITIONAL TIPS WHILE UNDERGOING RADIATION TREATMENT

Taking the following steps will help you feel in control. They also help maximize your body's ability to get through treatment.

Do what you can to:

  • Eat nutritiously  
  • Stay hydrated.
  • Only drink safe water
  • Reduce risk of infection in all aspects of your daily life. Infections slow recovery.
  • Exercise (yes, even during treatment - though you may have to take it easier.)
  • Practice good mouth care. 
    • If your dentist advised additional precautions to take during treatment, take them. For instance, your dentist may recommend a fluoride mouth rinse or a fluoride gel in addition to daily brushing.
    • An infection in your mouth can lower your body's ability to fight your health condition. Keep your mouth clean. Brush at least twice a day. Floss at least once a day. (If you haven't had one lately, schedule a dental check up). 
    • Check your mouth every day. Call your dentist immediately if you notice any changes or problems. Any of the following symptoms may indicate an infection.
      • Bleeding or a sticky, white film in your mouth 
      • Lumps 
      • Soreness 
      • Swelling 
      • Ulcerations.
  • Minimize alcohol consumption. For example, men should limit drinking to two drinks a day. Women are limited to one drink a day. 
  • Minimize stress
  • Get appropriate rest and sleep.
  • Deal with emotions that surface. 
  • If you smoke consider stopping. 
    • Smoking may interfere with the effectiveness of cancer therapy. Cancer patients who smoke have a lower survival rate than nonsmokers. By quitting, you can improve the body’s response to treatments, lessen complications and side effects, decrease the risk of recurrence and enhance survival.
    • Quitting during treatment may be very uncomfortable. It may include a variety of symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, depression, anxiety and irritability. On the other hand, it may help keep your mind off of the treatment.
  • Hospital gowns: If you are uncomfortable in the hospital gown used in the radiation facility, consider making your own or buying one of your own.

Do not:

  • Attempt weight loss during treatment. Wait until the post treatment recovery phase.
  • Take herbs, vitamins or nutritional supplements or use recreational drugs during treatment unless you get your doctor's consent.
  • Be surprised if the treatment plan changes as the treatment goes along. It does not mean that the disease is getting worse or that the disease has progressed.

Additional information


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