Breast Cancer – Managing Skin Reactions to Radiation

This article is the start of a three-part series of articles about managing the side effects of radiation. In total, seven areas in all will be discussed:

Skin problems
Armpit discomfort
Chest pain
Fatigue
Heart problems
Lowered white blood cell count
Lung problems

But today, we will start with skin problems that may be brought about due to radiation therapy. Even though many patients have very little difficulty with radiation treatment, everyone’s experience is different. It’s best for your medical team to act preventively and quickly to anticipate skin problems. Further, since these side effects will come on slowly, a timely response will curb the intensity of any discomfort. It is important to involve your medical team because if left untreated, there may be a risk of infection. You will notice after your radiation course stops that eventually, symptoms will improve.

As indicated by BreastCancer.org, listed below are reasons some areas of your body react more so than others:

The angle of the radiation beam is parallel to the skin there, so radiation skims the skin

This area may have been overexposed to the sun and therefore takes longer to heal

The arm rubs against the radiated skin, which is already irritated by sweat and hair

The bra rubs this area

The skin fold rubs against this area

Your complexion is fair and you’re susceptible to sunburn

You have large breasts

You received radiation after a mastectomy – doses will be high

You’ve had recent chemotherapy

What You Can Do

There will be a gradual change in the color around the treated skin area, usually going from flesh-toned to red. With darker-skinned African Americans, skin tone changes may not be noticed as readily but there will be soreness and/or dry skin present. Sometimes the dry skin may peel away in a dry and flaky manner. But other times, it may take on a wet and blistery type of appearance.

According to BreastCancer.org, the following are very good tips for preventing irritation before and after daily treatments:

Wear loose-fitting shirts, preferably cotton

Use warm rather than hot water while showering

Try not to let shower water fall directly on your breast

Avoid harsh soaps that have a lot of fragrance

Avoid skin-on-skin contact

Regularly dust the breast area and inside the skins folds with cornstarch to absorb moisture, reduce friction, and keep down odor

With or without radiation, yeast infection around the folds of the breast is common. Treat infections quickly as possible; usually, an anti-fungal cream is sufficient.

Additionally, BreastCancer.org gives tips on managing irritation during and after your course of radiation:

Before even any side effects begin, moisturize skin after each daily treatment and at night before bed

For mild irritation, apply aloe vera preparation

If irritation is no longer mild, ask your doctor for a stronger steroid cream

Don’t wear a bra if there are raw areas

If the skin becomes flaky, moisturize frequently and cleanse skin gently

If a blister develops, leave it alone. It is acting as a protective covering for healing skin underneath.

Lastly, many persons have questions in regards to sun exposure for both during and after radiation therapy. BreastCancer.org gives helpful hints in that regard as well:

During Radiation

It is best to keep the treated area completely out of the sun

Wear a bathing suit with a high neckline

Wear a cover-up when not in the water

Wear an oversized shirt over the treated area

Avoid chlorine – it will dry skin out worse

If you do swim in a pool, spread petroleum jelly on treated areas to keep chlorinated water away from skin

After Radiation

Use a sunblock that is rated SPF 30 or higher

Apply sunblock 30 minutes before going out

Reapply every few hours

Knowledge is power but cancer is one thing that tries to take power away from us. Don’t let it. Arm yourself with knowledge so you can better fight the fight!

Good health to us all!

Resource: BreastCancer.org

Dita Faulkner is a freelance writer who loves good food, a funny joke and a good movie. Just saw Just Wright with Queen Latifah and it rocked!

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Tags:

• Breast Cancer
• Reproductive System
• Wellness