Avon Breast Cancer Merchandise

One of the most common side effects of radiationmove on to leading productive, cancer-free lives.
therapy to the breast (after a lumpectomy) or toOne of the most common side effects of radiation
the chest wall (after a mastectomy) is skin irritation.therapy to the breast (after a lumpectomy) or to
Avon Breast Cancer MerchandiseThe reaction and itsthe chest wall (after a mastectomy) is skin irritation.
extent differ for every woman. Because radiationThe reaction and its extent differ for every woman.
therapy is often such an important part of breastBecause radiation therapy is often such an important
cancer treatment, it is important to know how topart of breast cancer treatment, it is important to
mitigate its side effects in order to gain the greatestknow how to mitigate its side effects in order to
benefit from the therapy.gain the greatest benefit from the therapy.
Coping with Skin IrritationCoping with Skin Irritation
Radiation-induced skin reactions are more likely toRadiation-induced skin reactions are more likely to
occur in people who received chemotherapy shortlyoccur in people who received chemotherapy shortly
before or during radiation therapy and in women whobefore or during radiation therapy and in women who
have a prominent fold under the crease of thehave a prominent fold under the crease of the
breast. In fact, this area and the underarm are thebreast. In fact, this area and the underarm are the
most common areas of the breast to sustain a skinmost common areas of the breast to sustain a skin
reaction. Most skin reactions resolve within a fewreaction. Most skin reactions resolve within a few
weeks of completing radiation therapy.weeks of completing radiation therapy.
Skin reactions are almost inevitable for womenSkin reactions are almost inevitable for women
receiving radiation to the chest wall after areceiving radiation to the chest wall after a
mastectomy. As a result, many radiation oncologymastectomy. As a result, many radiation oncology
facilities give such women a one-week prophylacticfacilities give such women a one-week prophylactic
break halfway through the course of treatment, tobreak halfway through the course of treatment, to
reduce the severity of skin reactions.reduce the severity of skin reactions.
The severity of a skin reaction varies from person toThe severity of a skin reaction varies from person to
person. It can become more noticeable as the courseperson. It can become more noticeable as the course
of treatment progresses. Faint pinkness of the skin,of treatment progresses. Faint pinkness of the skin,
brisk redness, sun burnt sensation, dryness, itching,brisk redness, sun burnt sensation, dryness, itching,
peeling, darkening like a suntan, blistering, and moistpeeling, darkening like a suntan, blistering, and moist
oozing can occur.oozing can occur.
When the reaction is severe, such as a brisk rednessWhen the reaction is severe, such as a brisk redness
that evolves into blistering and moist weeping of thethat evolves into blistering and moist weeping of the
skin, women receive a treatment break, usuallyskin, women receive a treatment break, usually
lasting a week or two. This rest is usually sufficientlasting a week or two. This rest is usually sufficient
to alleviate the worst symptoms. When necessary,to alleviate the worst symptoms. When necessary,
doctors can prescribe therapeutic creams. Radiationdoctors can prescribe therapeutic creams. Radiation
can be resumed once the reaction resolves.can be resumed once the reaction resolves.
Treating the ReactionTreating the Reaction
Lung Cancer Secrets Revealed Click hereDuring radiation therapy, women can avoid chafing
During radiation therapy, women can avoid chafingthe irradiated skin by going braless or by wearing a
the irradiated skin by going braless or by wearing acotton sports bra without an underwire that fits well
cotton sports bra without an underwire that fits wellbelow the crease of the breast or the irradiated skin
below the crease of the breast or the irradiated skinof the chest wall. Women who can go braless
of the chest wall. Women who can go bralessaltogether, should. If that is not a comfortable
altogether, should. If that is not a comfortablesolution, women should wear a bra as infrequently as
solution, women should wear a bra as infrequently aspossible to reduce the likelihood and/or the degree of
possible to reduce the likelihood and/or the degree ofa skin reaction. Also, aerating the irradiated skin helps
a skin reaction. Also, aerating the irradiated skin helpsminimize skin reactions.
minimize skin reactions.Over-the-counter moisturizing creams without alcohol
Over-the-counter moisturizing creams without alcoholand fragrance can reduce the extent of a skin
and fragrance can reduce the extent of a skinreaction. Often, radiation oncology teams prescribe
reaction. Often, radiation oncology teams prescribethese creams at the beginning of radiation therapy.
these creams at the beginning of radiation therapy.Women should also try to be kind to the irradiated
Women should also try to be kind to the irradiatedskin, which can be easily inflamed. Radiation
skin, which can be easily inflamed. Radiationoncologists suggest:
oncologists suggest:• Do not rub, scrub, or scratch the skin in the
• Do not rub, scrub, or scratch the skin in thetreatment area; instead, pat the skin dry and
treatment area; instead, pat the skin dry andmassage physician-prescribed anti-itch creams or
massage physician-prescribed anti-itch creams orointments onto the affected area.
ointments onto the affected area.• Avoid sun exposure to the irradiated skin. When
• Avoid sun exposure to the irradiated skin. Whengoing outdoors, wear protective opaque clothing such
going outdoors, wear protective opaque clothing suchas a cotton tee shirt.
as a cotton tee shirt.• Steer clear of tight-fitting blouses and bras over
• Steer clear of tight-fitting blouses and bras overthe area unless instructed otherwise.
the area unless instructed otherwise.• Use only lukewarm water and mild soap
• Use only lukewarm water and mild soaprecommended by the radiation oncology team on the
recommended by the radiation oncology team on thetreated area.
treated area.• Avoid using ice packs or heating pads on the
• Avoid using ice packs or heating pads on thetreated skin.
treated skin.• Steer clear of commercial deodorants and skin
• Steer clear of commercial deodorants and skincare products not endorsed by the treatment team.
care products not endorsed by the treatment team.• Do not shave the underarm on the treated side
• Do not shave the underarm on the treated sidewith a non-electric razor.
with a non-electric razor.• Avoid skin care products for at least two hours
• Avoid skin care products for at least two hoursbefore radiation treatment.
before radiation treatment.Although a number of people who undergo radiation
Although a number of people who undergo radiationtherapy do experience skin reactions, most get past
therapy do experience skin reactions, most get pastthis temporary side effect. By working with their
this temporary side effect. By working with theirradiation oncology teams, people pass the
radiation oncology teams, people pass themetaphorical finish line of the course of radiation
metaphorical finish line of the course of radiationtherapy, usually victoriously. Most importantly, they
therapy, usually victoriously. Most importantly, theyderive substantial benefits from radiation therapy and
derive substantial benefits from radiation therapy andmove on to leading productive, cancer-free lives.