Bras during radiation

I’m 60, lumpectomy on left breast and reconstruction on both (4-23). Had 15 days radiation.During radiation at MDAnderson they would mark your breast with colored sharpies. Colors stained my bra… I had bought something supportive, not compression from Walmart- so not expensive. Front closure.i would put on Calendula cream-you can buy on Amazon- (dr recommended) after treatments.Side note: It took over a month for my skin to health and doctor had to call in special cream to help. Keep up your stretching and exercise. My fatigue hit near the second week. Watch your breast … I ended up with lymphedema but caught it early - I can self maintain now. Good luck. Remember your body is healing. ❤️

I had 33 days of radiation after a lumpectomy. I chose not to wear a bra, so keep that in mind. It was also in August/September so I was dealing with the whole under the breast sweat thing. Sharpie markings protected by clear plastic? circles were only used the first week or two and then I got two tiny dot tattoos for placement. I applied lotion after my 7:45 a.m. treatment and 3x after that for 4x per day. I used Udderly Smooth which goes on easier and is non-greasy. The only issue I had was when I got a little too aggressive with the washcloth under the breast and caused painful irritation, but the issue resolved on its own in a few days. The nurse suggested putting rolled tissue under the breast when wearing a bra to protect it. By being dilligent with moisturizing, at the end of 33 days (5x per week) the only damage to the skin was that it was marginally darker, and you really had to look closely to tell. The radiation techs were very impressed. This was 2020 and I was 66.

When I had radiation, my radiologist recommended going braless for the whole month, which I did. Instead, she suggested wearing soft cotton T-shirts for the month. So I bought eight cheap soft vintage T-shirts (for men) from Costco and wore them. I ended up with Stage 2 desquamation, and it was such a messy problem that I was glad I had avoided wearing bras.

The ComfortSlings products are game changers in protecting the skin beneath your breasts during radiation. There are slings, which are soft cushions on adjustable straps that tuck beneath the breast, and cushions without the straps to tuck inside your bra cup.

I began using a ComfortSling the day I began radiation, wearing it as many hours of the day as possible, especially at night while I slept. Several times during the day I lay on my back and applied colorless, odorless gel to my entire breast, including the underside. I remained in position until the gel was fully absorbed (it took seconds), then immediately tucked the ComfortSling beneath my breast. With continuous protection from moisture and abrasion, the need for other products was virtually eliminated. By my treatments' end, my skin had darkened slightly but was otherwise unchanged. When I was out and about, I tucked a cushion inside my bra. The slings and the cushions virtually eliminated the accumulation of moisture beneath my breast and protected my skin from the rubbing and abrasion of skin-to-skin contact. By my treatment’s end, my skin had darkened slightly at the radiation site, but was otherwise unchanged. I had no pain, no broken skin.

Yes had tape over marker - still left stains.

Reconstruction needed some support.

Where did you purchase the slings? I would like to try.

Www. ComfortSlings.com
They are also sold on Amazon. Good luck! I hope it goes smoothly for you!

My radiation happened in the summer time. So it was hot and the skin was burned and irritated so I did not wear a bra, I did put on chilled aloe vera every few hours and I wore a cotton ribbed tank top under button up or zip up ship shirt. I am glad to read about the products developed since then.
The biofilm for the burns, the slings to prevent chafing, and the softee type cotton bras. I have never used any of these and yet they all make me smile and feel happy.
When you went without a bra, did you feel self conscious like I did? How did you deal with that?

I wish I would have known about the comfort sling. Just finished my radiation. For three days it was very painful around my nipple and under my armpits. The Dr. Perscribed some medication which helped more than the aquafor cream. Never heard about the comfort slings.

I started going braless after my lumpectomy. When I visited a wig shop to purchase and be fitted with a wig, I told the owner I hope she didn't have a problem with my not wearing a bra because it was just too uncomfortable. She replied, "You do you, not my business." She became a friend. A year later we attended a visitation for a fellow red hatter (she conned me into joining), and she mentioned later that some old ladies there had commented on my lack of bra. Instead of being embarrassed I gave her what for for even mentioning it to me, and that the old biddies had no business looking there. Four years later I only wear a bra if I'm going someplace special and it would be very obvious. Otherwise I don't even think about it which I think portrays the image that I don't care what you think, this is me, take it or leave it. It also helps that I recently read an article that in 1992 the court decided that women in New York state were legally allowed to go topless anywhere men were so allowed.