Any radiotherapy hacks?

[PaperbackWrighter]

I'm starting 5 days of RT on Wednesday for breast cancer, with a phone debrief from the centre on Tuesday. I've read online that many people prepare themselves by moisturising the breast a week or so in advance (tho I'm a bit late now if that's the case!).

I have super sensitive skin prone to eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, prickly heat, you name it. Anyone else been in that boat with similar skin problems and how you did you fare?

Any tips/advice about any aspect of RT for breast cancer most welcome! Thanks :)

I've not gone through RT so can't speak from personal experience but whilst I am waiting for my results I've been reading a lot of the threads here. I've seen Udderly Smooth cream recommended a few times and just googled it and its website specifically mentions it's good for skin exposed to radiation.

I had 5 sessions of Radiotherapy last year for BC - I used Aveeno cream and that was very good. Wishing you all the very best

I recently had 5 doses of high intensity radio for lung cancer, I'd second Aveeno.
Last year I had 30 doses of radio for cervical cancer and used Aveeno and for both treatments had no skin problems.

Aveeno or cetraben are really good. Also makes a massive difference to stay super hydrated. Really sensitive skin but the emollients work well after the session. Avoid scented soaps and deodorants if possible it does help. Hope it goes as well as it can x

My radiotherapy team gave me a cream to use and asked me not to use anything else. It might be worth checking if yours does something similar

You should be ok with 5 days tbh, just use a good non perfumed moisturiser. I used something called moo goo but not sure if you get it in the UK. I had six weeks of treatment five days a week and my skin was fine until the very last week. As a treatment it beats chemo any day!

Aveeno is fab but if they give you flammigel use it liberally- and take everything they will give you!

I used both and no issues.

Some people are unaffected by radio, others are but quite heavily. I had the intensive 5 days; the 6th day I felt quite tired and then was fine for a couple of weeks. Then it really hit me. It took a couple of months to start to get some level of consistency again wrt fatigue. But I think I was quite unlucky when I compare with others.

Regular exercise with walks and lifting some weights can be very helpful apparently. (The book Moving through cancer is excellent for easy to follow programmes)

You do get moo goo udder cream in the uk, I used it during rads and I think it was good.
I did go on holiday to a sunny country days after it finished and I wouldn't recommend that!

Can I ask why you don't recommend it? If affected area is completely covered all times with sun protective clothing (costing a fortune!)would it be okay? Thanks.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and well wishes. I had my first day today and all went fine - they said Aveeno, E45 or aloe vera. I've gone with Aveeno as I used to use it so I know I'm fine with it. I love the sound of Moo Goo - a friend raves about some of their other products and suggested their Udder Cream version (which I do find slightly unfortunate name in the circs!). They didn't offer me Flamigel but did say they'd give me Medihoney after the last session to take home with me.

Hello, good luck with your treatment! If your skin breaks, you can request alhydran cream from your GP. Really helped clear my radiotherapy burn up and it's good for scars too. Hope your treatment goes well x

I covered myself completely and still have areas which are lighter on my skin due to the sun hitting the radiotherapied areas.