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What is breast radiation like and what side effects should I expect?

Posted by jules2026 @jules2026, Jun 6 11:38am

Hello, first off, I'm grateful for this group and thank you to all who responded and shared their experiences with me a month or so ago as I was preparing for my DCIS lumpectomy. Radiation is my next steps. Can you share with me, what is it like during the radiation and effects? I've been told it would feel like a sunburn, anything else I should know? My radiation oncologist is recommending 5 treatments, in my upper breast areas (where the DCIS was). Thank you for sharing your experience

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texashummingbird | @texashummingbird | 1 day ago
In reply to @triciaot "@texashummingbird Yes, I believe they found the slightly lower level was equally as good, with less..." + (show)
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@texashummingbird Yes, I believe they found the slightly lower level was equally as good, with less longterm issues.
I actually had radiation at the Woodlands MDA, nice facility. It was a better location for me, and I stayed at a friend’s house for the week. I’m at Huntsville State Park at the moment! I read about the flooding. Hope it clears soon! Best wishes!

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@triciaot
Hi there! Glad to know you had your radiation at The Woodlands MDA. I totally didn’t know that was available. Wondering if the Sugar Land location also has it available there. One of my husband’s younger brothers and his family are all in The Woodlands, we love to visit them there. Have fun in Huntsville, we lived there back in the early 90’s when our older son was on the Football Team. Good times! Thanks for the info and Hugs!
Suzanne

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babs28 | @babs28 | 12 hours ago

I was fearful of getting bad skin effects from radiation. I got red, a bit itchy, more freckles, and the occasional small blister. What really kicked my butt was the fatigue which peaked the week after I finished radiation. I'm now 2 weeks out from the end of radiation. I'm still fatigued, but not horrendously so. My skin is healing quickly. I have noticed that the treated breast is now smaller than the other when it used to be bigger. I had a lumpectomy, so that is part of it but I think radiation had an impact too. My best wishes to all on this journey.

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jules2026 | @jules2026 | 7 hours ago
In reply to @babs28 "I was fearful of getting bad skin effects from radiation. I got red, a bit itchy,..." + (show)
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I was fearful of getting bad skin effects from radiation. I got red, a bit itchy, more freckles, and the occasional small blister. What really kicked my butt was the fatigue which peaked the week after I finished radiation. I'm now 2 weeks out from the end of radiation. I'm still fatigued, but not horrendously so. My skin is healing quickly. I have noticed that the treated breast is now smaller than the other when it used to be bigger. I had a lumpectomy, so that is part of it but I think radiation had an impact too. My best wishes to all on this journey.

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@babs28 - this is what I'm scared of, the skin reaction and fatigue. I have one more radiation tomorrow. If you don't mind sharing, what is your total dose? Mine is 21.9Gy. Thank you for sharing

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babs28 | @babs28 | 7 hours ago
In reply to @jules2026 "@babs28 - this is what I'm scared of, the skin reaction and fatigue. I have one..." + (show)
Profile picture for jules2026 @jules2026

@babs28 - this is what I'm scared of, the skin reaction and fatigue. I have one more radiation tomorrow. If you don't mind sharing, what is your total dose? Mine is 21.9Gy. Thank you for sharing

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@jules2026 I have no idea. I never thought to ask. I had 21 sessions: 16 total breast, 5 to tumor bed.

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