radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is also used to destroy cancer cells. Because the therapy is administered daily, the cancer cell is unable to repair itself between treatments. 

Radiation therapy is used in different circumstances for breast cancer patients:

• after a lumpectomy, to reduce the risk of cancer regrowing in the healthy breast tissue
• after total mastectomy, if there is a risk the cancer could regrow on the chest wall
• before surgery, to shrink the tumour
• if the cancer comes back

Your medical team will develop the best treatment plan for you based on your pathology results.

• If chemotherapy is part of your treatment plan, you might feel like you should be "recovered" before or during your radiation therapy. Remember that recovery doesn't start until all the treatment concludes. While radiation may not feel as invasive as chemotherapy is, it is important to be gentle with yourself.  
• If you are receiving radiation on your left side, practice the breath hold technique to reduce radiation exposure to your heart. Check out this video on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHjQEozcbdg 
• When you are receiving treatment daily, wear loose fitting clothes that are easy to take on and off. Don't be alarmed if the technicians are present, preparing the machine while you are dressing/undressing for treatment.
• Be prepared that you may not be able to wear a bra during radiation, you may want to purchase some soft tank tops to wear under your clothes as an alternative.
• Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize. Your medical team will recommend some unscented, over-the-counter products that work well for radiation burns.