Breast Radiotherapy
Breast Radiotherapy
On receipt of your referral from your doctor we will phone you with an appointment to attend for a CT planning scan. Read more about your Radiotherapy Pre-Treatment
For your CT scan we will require you to remove all of your top clothes, including your bra and change into a hospital gown, we will also ask you to remove any necklaces or earrings that you may be wearing. We need you to be lying on your back with your arms above your head, holding onto a bar, with your elbows relaxed out making contact with our equipment. The equipment is adjustable to you so please let us know if it does not feel quite right as this will be the position you will be in each day for your treatment. It is very important you are as relaxed as possible in the position so that we can reproduce your position for your treatment. Please continue to do your post operation exercises on both arms even if you think you have full movement back. You can also take mild pain relief (whatever you would normally take) before your CT scan or bring it with you, if you think this will help. Having both your arms up above your head is the ideal position, however if you are unable to manage this we do have other positions and equipment that we can use to make it more manageable for you so please do not worry. If you think you may not be able to achieve this position please let your doctor or one of the radiographers know.
When you attend for treatment the bed will be set up in the exactly the same position as it was for your CT scan. As at CT you will be asked to remove all of your top clothes including your bra, if you would like a hospital gown please ask, or you can wear a vest top or loose camisole which you can keep on until you are on the bed and then bring down. Read about the radiotherapy treatment process.
Side Effects
Your treatment has a build-up effect and so we would not usually expect you to develop side effects straight away. For those receiving 5 treatments these may appear after your treatment has completed. If you are having 15 treatments these may start to develop within your second week of treatment and gradually continue to build. You will be seeing the radiographers every day of your treatment so you will be closely monitored but please let us know if you notice any changes. The radiographers will be able to give advice and refer on as required. After your treatment has finished the side effects will continue to develop for two weeks, you will be given advice at the end of your treatment with how to manage this along with an aftercare card with a contact number for the liaison radiographer team. This number can be used for up to 4 week after treatment. If a follow up appointment is required this will be arranged by your doctors secretary and sent out to you. You can also contact your cancer nurse specialist team for ongoing advice and support.
Early side effects inlcude:
- Fatigue-this will build throughout your treatment. Try to stay well hydrated and it is recommended you do gentle exercise but it is important you listen to your body and rest if you need to.
- Erythema-this is a skin reaction that causes reddness of the skin. Please visit our skin care page for more advice.
- Breast or chest wall tenderness and inflammation-mild pain relief can help with this as well as a cooling flannel or fan over the area.
- Pneumonitis-inflammation of the lung.
Late side effects include:
- Breast shape and size changes
- Skin damage
- Weakened ribs
- Lymphoedema
- Lung scarring
- Heart damage
- Secondary malignancies
Your doctor will discuss all the side effects applicable to you when you are consented for your radiotherapy treatment. Please discuss any concerns you have regarding these.
Pregnancy- It is extremely important that you inform your doctor or your radiographer if you think you may be pregnant.
Cardiac Devices- It is important to inform your doctor and radiographer if you have a pacemaker or ICD as we will have to liaise with cardiology. This will not stop you from having radiotherapy but we may need to take appropriate precautions and arrange checks for your device.
Electronic Implanted Devices - Please inform your doctor and radiographers if you have an electronic implanted device. This will not stop you from receiving radiotherapy and advice will be given regarding the effect of the treatment on your device.
Useful Links
- The Primrose Foundation are a local breast cancer charity, based at the Primrose Breast Cancer Centre, Level 7, Derriford Hospital offering support and information.
The Macmillan Support Centre (The Mustard Tree): Level 3 Derriford Hospital, (01752) 430060
- The support and information Macmillan provides can be vital in helping you and your family/carers to deal with any worries and The Mustard Tree has a wealth of information ranging from diagnosis to different treatments to financial support. They also have various complimentary therapies available for you to try. If you want more information contact the centre to arrange an appointment where the Macmillan team can go through all the options available.
You can find more information and support from the Breast Cancer Now website including information on radiotherapy and exercises following surgery. Please follow the links below:
Breast Cancer Now Radiotherapy for Primary Breast Cancer Booklet
Breast Cancer Care exercise booklet
Reducing the risk of Lymphoedema
Further information can also be found here:
