how long after radiation untill you can resume normal activities?

loveline

hi again, i'm at my half way mark in radiation treatments and i was wondering just how long after i'm done can i go back to normal activities like swimming and tanning ?

Christmas Girl

Halfway through...
Well, I'll assume you're doing well - so far - with radiation; i.e., no burnt skin. However, the effects are cumulative. My skin did really well, 'til near the very end. So, I think it's probably too early to even guess. I think you'll have to wait and see where you wind up when your rads have been completed. At that point, you should really pose your questions to your radiation oncologist. In general, while undergoing rads and for quite some time after - sun exposure should be avoided. Even skin that looks OK is susceptible to serious damage from the sun, and it happens quickly. Doesn't mean you can't enjoy the outdoors. Sunscreen and/or SPF clothing can help protect. Swimming also depends.

I think you'll have to wait and see. Best wishes that you'll continue to do well with your rads.

Kind regards, Susan

bjmccann2

radiation
Hi and wishing you good recovery with your rads. I am at #20 and #13 more to go. So far my breast skin is doing ok. I have been doing my normal life activities except maybe a afternoon nap when I get home from my rad treatment. I do go for walks and do shopping with friends, wash clothes, house work, cook all as I did before the cancer diagnoises. My onco told me to just rest when I feel the need and not to get lazy because that is the part that would make it harder to recover from. She told me to stay active but rest when needed. I hope this helps you but your onco will really be the one to guide you for your own cancer treatment. Everyone is different and everyone's cancer is different. I wish a speedy recovery for you.

chenheart

Tanning....
During radiation therapy our skin is ultra senstitive to sunlight~ you can burn easily and certainly don't want to compound what you are already putting your body through!

I know it's a personal decision, but I just cringed even reading the word TANNING~there is no such thing as a safe tan, you know! And what possibly looks healthy on the outside, truly is a myth. Whether it be natural sunshine darkening our skin or a tanning booth~ none of it is either recommended or safe. No matter how glowing our skin may seem to be! Self-tanners, tanning spray and make up are much safer~risking skin cancer on top of BC...NO!!!!!!

I know whereof I speak~ I was raised on the beaches of NY, and Italy, and I now live in California. My fiance, who is a dark skinned Native American/Phillipino, and teaches ocean kayaking also NEVER goes out with out at least 30 SPF.

When an RN once reminded me that we get leather by TANNING the skin of animals, well, health aside, my vanity kicked in~ LOL I wear 50 SPF all day, 365 days a year. I may be old and wrinkly, but I have young-looking wrinkles! Whatever that means! HAHAHA!

Ok~ enough of a sermon/soapbox from me. Sorry to have gone off course here~ but tans just aren't healthy!!! If you must though...wait a reasonable amount of time before venturing out~ double check with your radiology team as to what they might suggest.

Hugs,
Claudia

Christmas Girl

chenheart said:

Tanning....
During radiation therapy our skin is ultra senstitive to sunlight~ you can burn easily and certainly don't want to compound what you are already putting your body through!

I know it's a personal decision, but I just cringed even reading the word TANNING~there is no such thing as a safe tan, you know! And what possibly looks healthy on the outside, truly is a myth. Whether it be natural sunshine darkening our skin or a tanning booth~ none of it is either recommended or safe. No matter how glowing our skin may seem to be! Self-tanners, tanning spray and make up are much safer~risking skin cancer on top of BC...NO!!!!!!

I know whereof I speak~ I was raised on the beaches of NY, and Italy, and I now live in California. My fiance, who is a dark skinned Native American/Phillipino, and teaches ocean kayaking also NEVER goes out with out at least 30 SPF.

When an RN once reminded me that we get leather by TANNING the skin of animals, well, health aside, my vanity kicked in~ LOL I wear 50 SPF all day, 365 days a year. I may be old and wrinkly, but I have young-looking wrinkles! Whatever that means! HAHAHA!

Ok~ enough of a sermon/soapbox from me. Sorry to have gone off course here~ but tans just aren't healthy!!! If you must though...wait a reasonable amount of time before venturing out~ double check with your radiology team as to what they might suggest.

Hugs,
Claudia

Kindred Spirit...
Hey, woman - I'm totally WITH you on the tanning thing! In fact, my med onc likes to say that although he has devoted his professional life to Breast Cancer - preaching awareness about Skin Cancer is his "hobby"!!! Lord help me if I EVER walked into his office with a natural sun tan!

Kind regards, 12/25
(a/k/a Susan)

EveningStar2

Christmas Girl said:

Halfway through...
Well, I'll assume you're doing well - so far - with radiation; i.e., no burnt skin. However, the effects are cumulative. My skin did really well, 'til near the very end. So, I think it's probably too early to even guess. I think you'll have to wait and see where you wind up when your rads have been completed. At that point, you should really pose your questions to your radiation oncologist. In general, while undergoing rads and for quite some time after - sun exposure should be avoided. Even skin that looks OK is susceptible to serious damage from the sun, and it happens quickly. Doesn't mean you can't enjoy the outdoors. Sunscreen and/or SPF clothing can help protect. Swimming also depends.

I think you'll have to wait and see. Best wishes that you'll continue to do well with your rads.

Kind regards, Susan

sun

I finished rads on April 10th. I was out in the sun briefly the other day, fully clothed, and I *felt* the sun on my nipple. No time in the sun for me!

Maureen