Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer

What is radiation therapy for breast cancer?

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy rays or particles to treat disease. It is a common treatment for breast cancer. Radiation therapy works by killing tumor cells or inhibiting their growth and division.

Through years of clinical trials, radiation oncologists have studied radiation therapy as a breast cancer treatment. These studies have led to the widespread use of effective and tolerable doses of radiation therapy.

It is used to treat early-stage breast cancer along with surgery for local control of disease. It may also be used in more advanced breast cancer to control the disease or to treat symptoms, such as pain.

How do I know if breast cancer radiation therapy is right for me?

First, you'll meet with a radiation oncologist to decide if radiation therapy is a good treatment option for your situation. If you and your doctors decide to proceed, you'll have an extended consultation to discuss the details of your treatment.

Each person is different, so it's important to make an individual treatment plan. Details of your breast cancer radiation therapy plan could include:

• The exact area to treat
• The amount of radiation you'll receive
• How many treatments you'll have
• Potential side effects

The radiation oncologist will also answer any questions you may have.

How do I prepare for radiation therapy?

Before your first radiation treatment, you'll have a simulation appointment that will last about one to two hours. You won't receive any radiation during that appointment. Instead, the doctor will identify the exact areas on your body to treat with radiation.

This involves lying on a table while the radiation therapist marks the areas with small dots using permanent ink. Each dot is similar to a very small tattoo.

What should I expect during my radiation treatments?

You'll change your clothes in the dressing room and then wait to be called. Each treatment should only last 10 to 15 minutes.

At the beginning of each treatment session, you'll lie on a table while the technician uses the marks on your skin to locate the areas to be treated. They'll leave the room during the treatment but throughout it will always be in communication with you.

It's important you remain still while receiving the radiation, although you should continue to breathe normally.

What are the physical side effects of radiation therapy?

Receiving radiation isn't painful, but you may experience some side effects. These can vary from person to person and depend on the site being treated. Common side effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer patients include:

• Fatigue
• Skin changes
• Discomfort and swelling in the treated breast

Please talk to your doctor or nurse if you have concerns about side effects before you begin treatment or have questions about managing your side effects during treatment.

How often will I see my radiation oncologist during treatment?

You'll meet with your radiation oncologist once a week. If you have new questions or concerns, simply ask to speak with your doctor again.

What emotions should I expect to have during radiation therapy?

You may or may not experience anxiety or fear when you begin your treatment. Most people tell us that their concerns fade as they adapt to the new environment and treatment.

Please speak to the staff if you feel the need for either emotional or practical support. A social worker is on staff in the UCSF Radiation Oncology department.

This may be a time when you think about support groups or one-to-one consultations for the feelings that arise or to help you cope. For information about support services, please contact the Breast Care Center.

How should I care for my skin between radiation treatments?

Several weeks after your first treatment, the skin in the treated area may look irritated or redder or darker than usual. It may also feel itchy. This reaction is similar to how your skin might react to sun exposure. These symptoms improve gradually after therapy is complete. If you experience skin changes or problems, raise them with your doctor, nurse or technologists or the radiation oncology staff.

Here are some things you can do to reduce the irritation and feel more comfortable:

• Bathe or shower and shampoo as usual. Do not scrub the skin in the treatment area. Gently towel dry.
• Treat the dryness and itchiness. Your radiation oncologist will recommend the best cream or lotion. Apply the recommended cream two or three times a day. Do not apply it before your radiation treatment.
• If your treatment is early in the morning, wait to moisturize. You may apply cream or lotion after a morning appointment. If your appointment is later in the day, ask your doctor how many hours before your appointment you should stop applying creams or lotions.
• Wear cotton clothing. For clothing next to your skin, cotton is best.

To minimize problems with your skin, do not:

• Expose the treatment areas to sunlight
• Use creams or lotions other than the ones your doctor recommends
• Use deodorants, alcohol, perfumes, iodine, merthiolate, or other irritating lotions or cream
• Apply heat (no hot baths or hot water bottles)
• Apply cold, such as ice packs
• Scratch the treated area
• Use a razor on the treated area
• Allow clothes to rub the treated area, especially irritating straps