Many people are afraid of radiation. They believe that therapeutic doses of radiation can be dangerous, such as the explosion of an atomic bomb or an accident at a nuclear plant. Whatever treatment is effective, it is almost always accompanied by side effects. This statement is true for radiation therapy. The reaction to radiation therapy for each individual patient is different, therefore, to predict how you will suffer radiation - hard to say.
Often among patients with cancer are circulating all sorts of rumors, "true" stories, and tales of treachery radiation. It is therefore very important that you understand that there is no connection between the treatment (so-called therapeutic) doses of radiation and the radiation that happens at the atomic explosions. Radiation, which is designed to fight cancer controlled, purposeful and safe.
In the course of radiation therapy, most patients find out that radiation exposure is not as scary as they thought. Although, it must be remembered that radiation, killing the cancer cells may have damaging effects on normal cells. And since the effect of exposure occurs gradually, you will gradually see and side effects.
However, it should be noted that not necessarily all completely patients suffer equally from these side effects. Knowing about them and prepare for these side effects can minimize discomfort during treatment. Remember that in a few weeks after completion of irradiation, all of these side effects gradually disappear.
The most common radiation causes a reaction from the skin. This is evident discomfort in the irradiated area.
In most cases, a skin reaction to radiation manifested as sunburn, as a part of the skin redness, itching, burning sensation, pain and sometimes peeling. But unlike sunburn, skin reaction to radiation occurs gradually and is usually in some areas. During radiation therapy the first thing you notice - it changes color from pink to red. However, some areas of the skin may be more intense color: this is an area near the armpits, upper inner part of the breast and fold under the breast. Skin reaction may be mild and limited to only those portions of the skin.
In some cases, the reaction of skin to irradiation may be more severe and cover a large area of breast cancer. It mainly happens when:
Do you have fair skin and it is very susceptible to sunburn.
Do You have big breasts
Radiation therapy is done after you have a mastectomy, and this requires a higher dose of radiation.
Have you recently completed a course of chemotherapy.
As with sunburn skin may be dry, painful and very sensitive to touch. May increase irritation. The skin may peel off, like an old sunburn or blisters to form. Such scaling is usually limited to a few areas of the skin. If the blister opened, exposing the disease and weeping skin area. If time does not begin to care for such portion of the skin, the infection can join, and the situation worse.
Ways to reduce the manifestations of skin reactions to radiation:
Wear loose, not tight-fitting clothes, preferably cotton.
If the skin around the breast is particularly sensitive and became irritable, try wearing a bra made of cotton free.
You can never wear a bra.
Gradually, the exposed area of new skin appear pink. The new skin is usually very tender. This skin can grow either under the blister, or under the old, dry, flaky skin. It is not recommended to cut or scrape blisters are the old skin because they protect the newly growing skin. If the problem is particularly severe, your doctor may take a small break in treatment to allow the skin to recover.
Typically, such changes in the skin occurs slowly and at a weekly inspection of the doctor can warn them. Fortunately, the irritation of the skin by radiation of a temporary nature. The doctor may give you some ointment, medications to alleviate manifestations of skin reactions.
After completion of radiotherapy
After a course of radiation therapy is completed, the negative effects of the skin may occur even within one - two weeks, after which they gradually begin to take place. Redness and irritation are beginning to take place starting next week.
The natural color will come back a little longer. Moreover, in six months or longer you may note that the irradiated areas of the skin slightly darker pink or vice versa more than usual. In some patients a darker shade of the irradiated areas of the skin may occur even years after treatment. In some cases, may in irradiated skin areas may experience blood thinner blood vessels. This so-called telangiectasia. These blood vessels in any case are not signs of cancer recurrence. Unfortunately, they do not pass on their own, and may need the assistance of a vascular surgeon.
If you smoke, sometimes the situation can improve smoking cessation. Sometimes it can help to hyperbaric oxygen therapy - treatment with pure oxygen under high pressure. For the treatment of telangiectasias are now widely used laser radiation.
A few tips for those who had radiation therapy:
During treatment, it is recommended to avoid exposure to sunlight on the irradiated area,
Wear a dress with high collar.
Always wear clothes.
We recommend wearing loose clothing, may be even larger than - it creates a coolness to the skin and does not irritate the irradiated areas.
If you take a bath, shower or swim in the pool, you need to lubricate the irradiated skin with petroleum jelly to prevent irritation of chlorinated water.
After a course of radiation therapy is completed, it must be remembered that the irradiated areas of the skin can now become more sensitive to sunlight, and therefore burns. So before you go in the sun (for example, on the beach), it is recommended to use special sunscreen.