Question 1

after effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Cure (we hope): Radiation therapy is a very effective way to "sterilize" the breast after lumpectomy, reducing the chance of cancer coming back in the breast. Modern techniques allow the radiation oncologist to target the breast & minimize exposure elsewhere, namely the lungs & heart.  Depending on breast size & smoking history, some people will have more breast scarring than others; most people are satisfied.

Question 2

can radiation therapy for breast cancer give me leukemia?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: Radiation therapy for breast cancer may cause a tiny increase in your chance of getting leukemia 5-10 years later. In studies, it's hard to know whether the radiation caused the leukemia, because aging itself is associated with an increased risk of leukemia.

Question 3

could radiation therapy for breast cancer be giving me a cough?

Accepted Answer

Rarely: Rarely radiation to the breast can cause inflammation of a portion of the lung. This can cause cough. It is typically treated with steroids. If you experience cough and shortness of breath during or shortly after radiation you should contact your radiation oncologist.

Question 4

can i get radiation therapy for breast cancer if i have a port-a-cath in place?

Accepted Answer

Yes: You can have radiation therapy with a portacath if it is not in the radiation "field" (the area where radiation will be given.)  usually portacaths are placed on the side opposite the breast cancer.  If yours is on the side where you will receive radiation, the port site under your skin might need to be moved.  Ask your radiation oncologist.

Question 5

do i need radiation therapy if i have early stage  breast cancer with clear margins?

Accepted Answer

Probably: Discuss at length with your doc.  If you are really 32, you have a much higher risk of recurrence in the breast than a much older woman (assuming that you had lumpectomy). Radiation or mastectomy is definitely indicated.  Lumpectomy alone may be ok in very selected post-menopausal tumors that are estrogen receptor positive, good margins, small, and with specific pathologic features.

Question 6

i am currently doing radiation therapy for breast cancer. what kind of deodorant can i use?

Accepted Answer

Ask your rad doc: Ask your radiation oncologist or the therapist.  They get this question a lot.  It depends on where the radiation fields are located, your reaction to the radiation, and the doc's personal preferences.  You want to avoid irritation.

Question 7

is radiation therapy necessary when i have early stage of breast cancer with all clear margins?

Accepted Answer

Adjuvant radiation: For early stage of breast cancer-when a breast sparing surgery-i.e. Lumpectomy is able to be done with clear margins- postsurgical radiation therapy is recommended to reduce risk for local recurrence to the affected breast. So, the asnwer is yes, it is necessary.

Question 8

how soon after finishing radiation therapy for breast cancer should i get a follow-up mammogram?

Accepted Answer

3-6 months later: Usually a baseline mammogram is obtained a couple of months after finishing radiation treatments.  By then, most of the acute side effects of skin irritation, inflamation from radiation treatments has subsided.

Question 9

can breast cancer recur after radiation therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes: After a lumpectomy and whole breast radiation, there is a 12-15% chance that breast cancer will come back in the same breast within 5 years.  However, the chance of recurrence is much higher without radiation therapy.

Question 10

how effective is radiation therapy for breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

Very effective.: Radiation therapy (rt)  is never a primary treatment for breast cancer, but rather a supplement to surgery for the local treatment of breast cancer.  Rt is mandatory following breast conserving surgery:  local recurrence rates are decreased from >25% to <5% with rt.  Rt is also used after mastectomy for patients that are at high risk for local recurrence.

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Radiation therapy side effects for breast cancer

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After effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer?

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Can radiation therapy for breast cancer give me leukemia?

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Could radiation therapy for breast cancer be giving me a cough?

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Can i get radiation therapy for breast cancer if i have a port-a-cath in place?

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Do i need radiation therapy if i have early stage breast cancer with clear margins?

A member asked:

I am currently doing radiation therapy for breast cancer. what kind of deodorant can i use?

A member asked:

Is radiation therapy necessary when i have early stage of breast cancer with all clear margins?

A member asked:

How soon after finishing radiation therapy for breast cancer should i get a follow-up mammogram?

A member asked:

Can breast cancer recur after radiation therapy?

A member asked:

How effective is radiation therapy for breast cancer?

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