Care before and after radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is given as an adjuvant treatment for breast cancer with or without concurrent chemotherapy. Radiotherapy involved irradiating parts of body with high energy rays. These high energy rays cause DNA damage in rapidly dividing cells such as cancer cells.
During radiotherapy for breast cancer, the site is marked and a radiation port placed over the site. A radiation port is simply a device which can deliver targeted rays to the tissue in question. Most women will require 2-3 cycles of radiotherapy for breast cancer. But it can be more or less depending on the stage of the tumour.
There are some basic precautions and care which is required to be given to the radiotherapy site. This article will describe the important precautions and advice pre and post radiotherapy:-
1. Wash the irradiated area gently each day with either water alone or a mild soap and water.
3. Rinse soap thoroughly from skin.
2. Use hands rather than a wash cloth to be gentler.
4. Take care not to remove the skin markings that indicate exactly where the beam of radiation is to be focused.
5. Dry the irradiated are with patting motions rather than rubbing, using a soft clean towel or cloth.
6. Do not use powders, ointments, lotions or cream over the irradiated area, unless prescribed by the radiotherapist.
7. Wear soft clothing over the skin at the site of radiation site.
8. Avoid wearing belts, buckles, straps or any type of clothing that binds or rubs the skin at the radiation site.
9. Avoid sun exposure to the irradiated area.
10. Avoid exposure to heat.