Breast cancer treatment tips

[amoobaa]

Posting for traffic.

I’m hoping the collective hive mind that is Mumsnet might be able to help me with ideas and practical tips to support my wife as she prepares for breast cancer treatment.

It has been caught very early, for which we are incredibly grateful.

She has an MRI tomorrow. Any tips for dealing with claustrophobia and the very loud noise? Is she allowed to take her own earplugs, or are hospital ones usually provided?

I’m hoping for advice on how best to prepare for what’s coming.

The plan is a lumpectomy.

• Any recommendations for a good post-operative support bra?

• Anything practical we should buy in advance, given it’s day surgery?

This will be followed by around five days of radiotherapy.

• What should she realistically expect in terms of side effects, fatigue, or skin changes?

• Are there any questions we should be asking the surgeon or oncology team ahead of either procedure that people later wished they’d asked?

• Is there anything I can buy or do to help with skin care or comfort during or after radiotherapy?

• Finally, any general tips — emotional, practical, or logistical — for how I can best support her through all of this would be very welcome.

Thank you in advance. I really appreciate any experiences or advice people are willing to share.

can’t seem to remove poll, apologies.

Be prepared for treatment plan to change….not saying it will be it could….my mri and Ct scans were clear….then after surgery , the histology report showed lymph node involvement…..treatment changed from radiotherapy…..to chemo then radiotherapy….good luck 🍀

Hi I finished my active treatment i(e post op radiotherapy) 6 weeks ago and the things I found useful were:
-Post lumpectomy bra - I’m large on top so need something v supportive and was recommended (and love) the Anita non-wired extreme control sports bras. Expensive though but you do have to wear 24 hours a day for quite a long time
-I had to have some lymph nodes removed and was recommended a heart shaped pillow for under my arm to keep the pressure off - it did help
-I tried to be active from the day after surgery ie going for walks - it was too soon so make sure she rests more than perhaps she thinks she needs to. My sleep post op was horrendous
-I found the reality of radiotherapy much better than the thought of it. I had it every day for 5 days and luckily live near the hospital so the travelling wasn’t too stressful. If you have a longer journey take that into account in terms of how tiring it may be. The staff were so lovely and after the embarrassment of stripping off the first time it was fine - the radio was on and time passed quickly. I confess I didn’t enjoy the placement session before it started as it was all the unknown but it’s a one off. Like someone has suggested above we tried to do cake or something nice after each session but by the last one I was v tired and a bit sick. Tiredness got worse after about 2 weeks and 6 weeks later I still haven’t managed to go out for an evening.
I wish you all the best.

What a great question, OP.

Some nutritional supplements can interfere with radiotherapy.

DF’s medical team asked about his supplements but made no comment until we asked about this possibility. Then they said yes, best to discontinue for the duration of treatment and beyond, until the radiation has done its work.

Perhaps some people don’t like hearing this, so you need to ask? I don’t know.

Lots of great advice from everyone, and best wishes to your wife for her treatment.
One small tip for radiotherapy I was given as my skin got very sore, get a soft over sized T shirt to wear and wear it inside out so the seams don't rub against your skin.

Also advice I was given by a cancer nurse, try to deal with what you know and adjust a bit at a time to any possible treatment plan changes, Try not to expend energy and worry on the 'don;t knows' deal witht he next step that is immediately in front of you at the time.

Small things not often mentioned, to be ready for. Isotope dye for the operation: one temporarily goes as blue as a Smurf from neck to armpit! I hope she's got a sister/female friend she can chuckle with about the number of people who're going to have had a feel of her bosom by the time this is over (usually far outnumbering the number who've been there by invitation in the past - probably not a giggle she'd share with you!). For ever and ever, favour the other arm (read up about lymphoedema and how to try and avoid it). In the post-radiotherapy process, you both need to know that the Tamoxifen/letrozole regime shuts off oestrogen so fast and so hard it's like falling off a hormonal cliff: some side effects are treatable (e.g. letrozole can cause really nasty joint pain: ask for alternative, they do exist). Above all, be ready for her to reconsider her own priorities in life. Good luck.

I agree with the “you’ll be fine” comments - they used to enrage me.

I had two small tattoos done for radiotherapy - just pinpricks for positioning and they disappeared after about ten years.

I didn't get claustrophobic at all for the breast MRI as you lie facing down and there is a window in front of your face my head wasn't covered at all
If she is anxious get the go to prescribe Valium or similar bfor any procedures

Get a v pillow. It keeps you upright in bed so you don't lean on your boob over night.

You just need a front fastening supportive bra. (I had a mastectomy so a post aurget bra may not be necessary for a lumpectomy?)

On the care side. Don't overwhelm her with care. , I found that too much , be a shield against visitors, keep the hot drinks coming is my best advice

@amoobaasome great advice already, but just signposting the Breast Cancer Now site and forum https://breastcancernow.org/support-for-you?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=support-services-2025-search&utm_content=support&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21337298145&gbraid=0AAAAADBP5ds4EaIoWSDkzOUcBcymfmFdR&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuvTJBhCwARIsAL6Demg1DnoaCtxiRXdswMO9Hn8-vWq4QT74e0ejBMxwIiMzF1tZwGsESRAaAqInEALw_wcB was recommended to me by my breast surgeon and which I found incredibly helpful, and the forum is a very supportive safe place to connect with people who understand what you are going through. Good luck to you both

I needed a shower stool for when I could shower as I was dizzy for a while. My husband needed to wash my hair as it felt really ick and I couldn’t lift my arms.

I’d recommended getting a proper wash and blow dry just prior to surgery as I find that it lasts so much better than when I do it myself.

I used La Roche Posay during radiation.
CICAPLAST BALM B5+ SOOTHING THERAPEUTIC MULTI-PURPOSE CREAm
and one of their daily moisturising lotions.

I had hardly any skin problems, just a feeling of sunburn, and care team was surprised at how well my skin held up.

Avoid friction. I used organic cotton thin vests instead of a bra as the band was irritating

You’ve both got this! Even when it feels like you don’t 💪

I would add that encourage the shoulder and arm exercises that she may be given. It will make such a difference to her post op rehab

I had this four years ago .
Ideas:-
A diary to keep track of appointments and one for feelings ( cheap at The Works)
Books written by people who have experienced breast cancer.
Small cushion for the car to put between her and seat belt.Speed bumps etc can be painful
Chair that fits in the car.
A cleaner who is sympathetic and non critical and do what you want e g dishwasher,bedding etc
Possibly new pjs,slippers and dressing gown
Kindle or similar to watch in bed
A folder with transparent sleeves to keep all the hospital letters in.
Sympathy / understanding and helpfulness
Time alone with one or two good friends
Flowers or plant

Meant chair that fits in the shower!

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply and to share your experiences. I’ve read every single post and message, and I can’t tell you how helpful it’s been. So many of you have mentioned things I simply wouldn’t have known or thought about otherwise- from very practical tips around bras, clothing, pillows, skin care, MRIs and radiotherapy, to the realities of fatigue, waiting around, and how draining the daily hospital trips can be.

I haven’t burdened my wife with all of this information, but I’ve made notes and it’s given me a much clearer picture of what’s ahead and how I can support her. It’s really opened my eyes in particular to just how exhausting radiotherapy can be, and how I can make things as comfortable and easy as possible day to day.

If she were to read this thread herself I know she would be very grateful for the kindness, honesty and generosity in it. Thank you again to everyone who replied or messaged- it really does mean a lot. And if anyone has any more tips or things they wish they’d known, I’m very happy to hear them.

You sound lovely.

My surgery no pain relief was provided to take home so it was useful to have stocked up in advance. Second surgery which was private paid for by NHS I had enough meds to start my own chemist.

Treatment plans often change and its normally after surgery results and they add things. Hopefully this won't happen but mine added a second and a third surgery, chemo, radio and 10 years Tamoxifen though mine wasn't caught early.

If it does go to a longer plan its really useful to have all dental work done, this probably means going private these days but if you explain to the dentist they are excellent. Mine did need to have me private but gave me 50 mins advice for a 10 min private consultation. He also prescribed me extra fluoride toothpaste for chemo to prevent tooth damage and my teeth survived well.

I would listen to her and reflect her mood. If she is anxious then its best to just reassure her you will be there for her, love her but not to talk about retirement, grandchildren etc things she will be fearing she will never see. If she is super positive then mirror that. I was an anxious person and people saying things like you'll be fine / sounds like its going well felt unsympathetic. Be prepared that friendships may surprise her - some negatively and some positively - but there is lots of support for cancer. If you need benefits like ESA or sometimes people can get PIP if badly affected its best to apply as soon as possible, Macmillan can help. When I did chemo I got a cleaner in and that was amazing, just once a month but made a big difference. It was also good to have a nice day out once a month if a longer treatment plan - I liked seeing the seals and babies on the beach at Horsey (now), seeing puffins if puffin season (April to July). Some people do spa days but you can't do those just after surgery or radio.

It varies how people find things - I had almost no pain after surgery and recovered quickly, radio I had no side effect or tiredness from but chemo was hell on earth though for me the steroids more than the chemo. Tamoxifen I find relatively easy too but people vary.

Calm app is very good for stressful situations. Lots if tips and advice. The simple breathing ones helped me a lot.

I finished my active treatment (chemo, lumpectomy then radiotherapy) in April this year. I was given cream for the radiotherapy, but only experienced a little bit of pinkness, which fades. I had 15 rounds of radiotherapy, and after about 6 or 7 days, the fatigue kicked in.

I found the MRI uncomfortable as there was what felt like a really hard thing poking into my sternum. I had MRIs with contrast, so 45 minutes of that getting increasingly more painful wasn't fun. It's 'padded' but I'm quite slight, and had lost lots of weight during chemo, so I was quite bony! I had ear plugs, then headphones on top (talk radio for me!).

A front fastening bra is helpful. Whatever she gets needs to be soft and avoid the sentinel node scar (that was quite sore). I had an overnight stay in hospital, and the front fastening bra made it easier for them to examine me (all through the night, didn't get much sleep!). They gave me painkillers in hospital but I didn't feel the need to take anything once I was home.

Spend some time with her that's not about cancer. My fondest memories are of the people who distracted, entertained and had a laugh with me.

Just another thing I’ve thought of. She will hopefully have open access to the breast care nurses. Who are at the end of a phone or email and sooo knowledgeable and calm and reassuring. After my biopsies I was really really bruised and swollen. I just wasn’t sure if this was within normal parameters. They saw me the same day I messaged them, were just so kind, and gave alsorts of ideas of how to ease the symptoms.
They continue to be available even now, 5 years down the line, and what they don’t know about breast cancer isn’t worth knowing. So it’s totally reassuring to know someone is there, you aren’t wasting their time, and you don’t have to battle to a GP.

You sound fantastic!

Some things that really helped me after surgery- Dragons blood is fantastic for wound healing. I used it on my wound after reconstruction, and it healed incredibly fast.
It’s used in some high end skincare products, and I now mix it into my moisturiser.
There are some great studies published, in case anyone is interested.

Cicaplast balm to moisturise during radiotherapy. Moisturise as much as you can.

Cold plunges work incredibly well for post radiotherapy inflammation, and to ease the tiredness.
My oncologist did tell me to make sure not to ‘soak for long periods’. 3 minutes daily was great.
A bit of a mad time to start doing them though.

Alternatively, a cold shower over the area would definitely help.

Apologies, I missed this from my first (cod liver oil tablets anyone???) post, but have you heard of Maggie's? Absolutely amazing. Somewhere to go, someone to talk to. Got me to a psychologist in 48 hours, as opposed to four months with the over stretched NHS. I cannot recommend them enough https://www.maggies.org/ . You can even just pop in for a coffee if you are early for an appointment, or waiting for a blood test.