Has anyone had an intense radiotherapy course?

[WhatLiesAhead]

There's been a trial which has been adopted by more hospitals especially over Covid times whereby the "standard" 3 weeks (15 sessions) of radiotherapy following breast lumpectomy has been intensified. So the same total dose but in just 5 sessions.

Has anyone had this? I'm due to start treatment next week. I'm very happy to be doing this more intense course of treatment. I've been reassured by my oncologist that there seems to be no increase in side effects. In fact tiredness seems to be decreased.
Just wondering how anyone else has found this.

I had this back in May. I still get tired,
Nothing that stops me doing anything but just sometimes I feel as if I hit a bit of a wall. I didn’t really have any other side effects, a hot boob & a bit of soreness but really nothing awful. Good luck!!!

Thanks for your experience. I'm just really hoping I feel relatively okay as I've been pretty wiped out by treatment so far hit definitely beginning to feel much more normal and am hopeful I'll not get exhausted again.

I've just had it at the end of July. My skin is a bit pink in places & sometimes feels burny. Make sure you apply the recommended cream 3-4 times a day. I've been quite fatigued but have also not been sleeping well. I'm not doing extra activity beyond what's needed and if I do have a busier day I try to have a rest day after.

Have you seen the cancer thread on MN? A few of us on there have BC so feel free to post on there if you like - it's very friendly & supportive

I wasnt allowed the intensive one as i have lung damage so had the 3 week one. I was left with horrific 3rd degree burns and blisters and obvs attending hospital every day for 3 weeks is a huge PITA. Ive heard the five day course is much better, less skin damage and reduced tiredness.

Thanks for your replies. It's good to hear different experiences
I have looked a little on the cancer support thread HauntedDishcloth but for me found it a bit overwhelming atm

I've recently had the 5 sessions but not the same total dose as 3 wks. It was a higher dose each day but worked out a lower amount in total. From what I understand this is the case for anyone having the accelerated radiotherapy. I had a few days of tiredness but nothing too bad. My skin was fine, just a bit pink. Good luck with your treatment.

My good friend just did this. 9 sessions IIRC for breast cancer. She drove herself most days. Was tired but nothing compared to her chemo she said. Recovering well now.

My oncologist told me they had been researching this for years and it was going to be adopted as standard treatment but they brought it in earlier because of covid.

I did 5 sessions at a higher dose on the whole breast then 5 tumour boost sessions (because I am under 50). My skin tolerated the treatment very well and I had just a bit of redness which then developed into a light tan. Radiotherapy continues doing its stuff after they finish zapping you so they warned me that 2 weeks after finishing would be peak side effect time.

I had some fatigue (different to any other tiredness I have ever experienced) a couple of weeks after treatment but it didn't last very long.

I used Balmonds cream 2x per day during and for a couple of weeks after treatment. I used a very gentle shower gel too. I showered off any moisturiser from the night before each morning before my session. Then applied moisturiser as soon as I got home and then in the evening. I also wore a loose top without a bra to let air get to it.

I hope your treatment goes well.

I too had 5 sessions and finished in December. I moisturised my skin daily two weeks before with Aveeno and then during the treatment. I felt a bit itchy at times but my skin tolerated it well. I did feel very tired and still do but that may be because I’m on hormone therapy for 5 years , I’m also in my 60’s . I was told that this will be standard treatment soon but was brought forward due to Covid . It only takes a few minutes each time, I’m not at all good with hospitals but it really was fine and nothing to worry about , I watched some you tube videos before so I knew what to expect. Good luck, I hope it all goes well .

I had the five day course end of June I didn't feel tired at all just a bit swollen and looked sunburnt at the end, but I didn't have to have any other treatment apart from Tamoxifen so maybe there is more of a cumulative effect if you've had chemo as well. Use loads of cream in the run up to treatment to get your skin in as good condition as possible avoiding any that contain sodium lauryl sulphate, I also used olive oil on my skin. The treatment didn't take very long its almost longer setting up the machine and getting you into the correct position. I think I had 14 blasts each time can't remember. I had to do breath holding as it was on my left side to protect my heart, so had to practice holding my breath for 20 seconds but each blast never lasted that long. At our hospital you have to ring from the car park to tell them you have arrived and then they ring you back to come in and straight to treatment .