When having rads can we be in the sun?

BioAdoptMom
BioAdoptMom Member Posts: 358
in Breast Cancer #1
It may be kind of a silly question, but I was told by someone that once I start rads treatments (the traditional kind) I will not be allowed to go out in the sun with any exposed skin (this person knows someone who had radiation treatments for brain cancer). I assumed I would need to have the area covered and/or use sunscreen (always do anyway), but didn't think I couldn't be out in it. I am a teacher and though I love what I do, I love my summers. I have a pool and live 15 minutes from the beach and I enjoy both during the summer, a lot! I will start rads in late April if I don't need chemo and sometime in July if I do. We get out of school the end of May. Please tell me I'll still be able to enjoy the sun!

Thanks!

Nancy

Comments

  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #2
    I finished rads this time last year
    and was told to specifically stay out of the sun as I would be very sensitive and would most likely burn. I was told that sunscreen would not protect me. More stuff, too, but I honestly can't remember.

    I did as I was told, and looking forward to this summer....

    Sue
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #3
    sbmly53 said:

    I finished rads this time last year
    and was told to specifically stay out of the sun as I would be very sensitive and would most likely burn. I was told that sunscreen would not protect me. More stuff, too, but I honestly can't remember.

    I did as I was told, and looking forward to this summer....

    Sue

    I was told to keep the area
    I was told to keep the area out of the sun. Since i had chest radiation, I wore a tee shirt. But I did sit out in the sun. I also used a sunscreen i got at the store at he oncology center, it had zinc oxide in it.
  • sunshine0406
    sunshine0406 Member Posts: 65
    #4
    carkris said:

    I was told to keep the area
    I was told to keep the area out of the sun. Since i had chest radiation, I wore a tee shirt. But I did sit out in the sun. I also used a sunscreen i got at the store at he oncology center, it had zinc oxide in it.

    I was just told to cover it
    I was just told to cover it up or stay in the shade until around 2-3 months after radiation was over. Also that I could NOT put on sunscreen until I was done with radiation. It seems that every Dr has different recommendations it makes it a bit confusing. I hope you can enjoy summer regardless. :)
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #5
    I did Rads in winter - early
    I did Rads in winter - early Feb to mid March (2010) and nothing was said about staying out of the sun but then here that time of the year there isn't much sun and even on the days there is sun, it's too cold to be out without several layers of clothes on. The only Dr that has said anything about it is my PA but she's been lecturing me for years about using sunscreen - long before IBC 'arrived'. And she is really right - I should use it more than I do considering how much time I spend outside and I've had some pre-cancerous lesions.

    Susan
  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    #6
    Rague said:

    I did Rads in winter - early
    I did Rads in winter - early Feb to mid March (2010) and nothing was said about staying out of the sun but then here that time of the year there isn't much sun and even on the days there is sun, it's too cold to be out without several layers of clothes on. The only Dr that has said anything about it is my PA but she's been lecturing me for years about using sunscreen - long before IBC 'arrived'. And she is really right - I should use it more than I do considering how much time I spend outside and I've had some pre-cancerous lesions.

    Susan

    Iwas told.
    To avoid the sun in the area where radiation hit for 2 years and then to use at least a 30 sun screen. It has been almost 2 years and I have been in the sun but use caution. No issues.

    Roseann
  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #7
    roseann4 said:

    Iwas told.
    To avoid the sun in the area where radiation hit for 2 years and then to use at least a 30 sun screen. It has been almost 2 years and I have been in the sun but use caution. No issues.

    Roseann

    I did rads in winter so
    I did rads in winter so wasn't too much of a problem, but the next summer I went to the beach a few times and used 50 sunscreen.
    I got so dark so quick that it scared me.
    Almost unnatural :) so if I do go in the sun, I try to keep sunscreen and cover up more.
    Wanda
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #8
    Lighthouse_7 said:

    I did rads in winter so
    I did rads in winter so wasn't too much of a problem, but the next summer I went to the beach a few times and used 50 sunscreen.
    I got so dark so quick that it scared me.
    Almost unnatural :) so if I do go in the sun, I try to keep sunscreen and cover up more.
    Wanda

    Interesting
    I can understand maybe about the radiation and no sun.But now read make sure the area is covered.We all have bc so the area would be.Then it sounds like some docs say yes and other no.I didn't have radiation or chemo so I didn't worry.

    BUT I've been wondering if I should be in the sun at all.My friend won't.Last year I had a class reunion(wanted a tan).I sunbathed. Only for short periods because of the scare. This year though I want more sun.I was going to talk to my oncologist this month. I see where 2 of you use a 30 and one a 50.AND you still get a good tan. That was what I wondered.With such a HIGH sunscreen I would think it would take much much longer to tan.

    This post has helped me just knowing most survivors sunbathe.Now to decide on the sunscreen.AND OMG my friend will tell me how she won't do it. If she gets a mole it goes off very soon.That is another thing I think about. Have my moles removed and if a new one comes get it off ASAP.

    Lynn Smith
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #9
    Lynn Smith said:

    Interesting
    I can understand maybe about the radiation and no sun.But now read make sure the area is covered.We all have bc so the area would be.Then it sounds like some docs say yes and other no.I didn't have radiation or chemo so I didn't worry.

    BUT I've been wondering if I should be in the sun at all.My friend won't.Last year I had a class reunion(wanted a tan).I sunbathed. Only for short periods because of the scare. This year though I want more sun.I was going to talk to my oncologist this month. I see where 2 of you use a 30 and one a 50.AND you still get a good tan. That was what I wondered.With such a HIGH sunscreen I would think it would take much much longer to tan.

    This post has helped me just knowing most survivors sunbathe.Now to decide on the sunscreen.AND OMG my friend will tell me how she won't do it. If she gets a mole it goes off very soon.That is another thing I think about. Have my moles removed and if a new one comes get it off ASAP.

    Lynn Smith

    keep ratiated area cover at all times
    I had tank top at dr visit and said not enough coverage eve with sun screen-
  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
    #10
    Sun
    I had a early visit with the Rad doc and asked him about this because I like to garden. He said keep the area covered and 30 or better sunscreen. I know that when you are in or near the water, that the radiation is reflected off the surface of the water (I also wonder about the light colored beach sand) making it stronger. So if I am working in the garden at the same day and time that you are at the beach, I suspect that if we both had the same sunscreen on the same day and time of day that the person at the beach would get a bit more radiation. Since I live near the beach I think for myself I would get one of those beach shelter gizmos that keep the sun out but you can still enjoy the breeze and the beach. I probably would use one of those ez-up things near the pool so that I was not in the sun but still out by the pool. I would swim too but later in the day when the radiation is way lower than it is at mid day.
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #11
    sbmly53 said:

    I finished rads this time last year
    and was told to specifically stay out of the sun as I would be very sensitive and would most likely burn. I was told that sunscreen would not protect me. More stuff, too, but I honestly can't remember.

    I did as I was told, and looking forward to this summer....

    Sue

    My rads oncologist told me
    My rads oncologist told me to stay out of the sun totally during rads and he would like for me to never tan there ever again. You will burn to a crisp during rads if you expose your skin to the sun where you are getting the treatment.

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