Breast cancer stage 0

SNG67

I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ and had a lumpectomy to remove the tumor. Will be starting 4 weeks of radiation. Concerns about possible radiation burns. Does anyone have suggestions or ideas on the best way to handle this? My Dr gave me a list of lotions to use if I need to. Thank you!!

olivesew

Hi Susan,

I am glad that your doctor advised you about skin care. The office I went to said not one word to me about skin care. About half way through the treatment, I was handed a bag with 3 tubes of cream. I asked for instructions for use, and was told, "Go in the dressing room and put it on. It is made from flowers." Then she walked away. I am glad I read the directions because (I used Miaderm) it says not to use it in the hour immediately preceeding treatment. Anyway, I had 23 radiation treatments, and didn't get any burn til right near the end, and actually it was more sore in the 2 weeks after radiation finished.

I think you can start putting on the cream as soon as your treatment starts. A cousin of mine used Aquaphor and she used it right from the start of treatment, say right after treatment and/or every evening, and never had any burn.

My only problems with radiation came from lack of information about how the machine rotates and moves. I started out great for the first week of treatment, when every day was the same, but on the 7th day, the whole process was done in reverse, without warning, and it scared the living daylights out of me. I thought my treatment had been changed.

So just make sure you ask about what the machine will do during your treatment. But you are probably lucky to be in an office that will explain these things to you automatically.

I am sure you will do fine .

SNG67

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1719449#Comment_1719449

Thank you for the information and the words of encouragement!

Arx001

If I may respond as a guy with a stage 3 colorectal cancer, what helped me with radiation burns was painkillers. Make sure to have light, medium and strong painkillers with you. Your medical team may not wish to give you a strong painkiller but if the pain becomes too strong - especially towards the end of your regime - make sure to insist on getting one.

I was given 52.5 grays of radiation. Possibly you will get a much lower dose specifically at a very small region as you are stage 0. I hope it will be quite easy and painless.

Best wishes.

SNG67

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1719461#Comment_1719461

Thank you for the information!

catlady2

My team suggested I use calendula cream. I used it religiously. When I developed a rash that spread across my entire chest I thought it was the radiation. Turns out I was allergic to the cream! I had to take course of steroid pills to clear up the rash! It is wise to be sure you are not allergic to any ingredients in whatever cream you use. 😊

"Calendula may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others."

Best wishes for successful radiation sessions. I am 5 years out from being treated for DCIS and No evidence of disease (NED)!

SNG67

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1719488#Comment_1719488

Thank you for the information! Congratulations on 5 years.