Radiotherapy

Information on this page:

These resources are appropriate for people who are receiving radiotherapy currently or recently (in the last 12 months).
You may also find this information useful if you are due to start radiotherapy in the future.

1. Who receives radiotherapy?
2. Preparing for Radiotherapy
3. Skincare
4. Bras
5. Movement and stretches

For more resources related to your treatment, please visit:
All Patients
Surgery
Chemotherapy and Systemic Therapy
Hormone Therapy (endocrine therapy)

1. Who receives radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy is recommended if you have a lumpectomy or wide-local excision. To find out why, watch the video below.
Sometimes it is also recommended after a mastectomy. If so, your treatment team will discuss this with you.

To learn more, watch the video about the ‘Role of Radiotherapy in the Treatment of DCIS and Early Breast Cancer’

2. Preparing for Radiotherapy

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR RADIATION ONCOLOGIST
A list of common questions that will be useful to ask at your first meeting with the radiotherapy doctors.

DEEP INHILATION BREATH HOLD
Not all people receiving radiotherapy are required to do this technique. Your treating team will inform you if you are. If this technique is recommended for you, this leaflet will help you to train yourself for your planning CT scan and your radiation therapy treatment.

RADIATION SIMULATION
Radiation therapy is individually planned for each person. At your simulation appointment the radiation therapy team will work out the position you need to be in to receive your treatment. This position is important for the radiation therapy to be delivered precisely to the right area of your body at each treatment.

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT RADIOTHERAPY (video)

3. Skincare

SKIN CHANGES AND CARE DURING RADIATION
Factsheet from EVIQ Australia

CARING FOR YOUR SKIN AFTER RADIOTHERAPY
Factsheet, BCNA. Includes how to clean and wash during treatment.

Recommended skincare products

The following skincare products listed below are safe to use before, during, and after your radiation treatment.

These are only suggestions, always be guided by your treating team.

Epaderm Ointment – LINK
Sorbolene. This can be used as both a moisturizer and a body wash!- LINK
Moogoo Udder Cream – LINK
Moogoo Ultra gentle cleanser – LINK
QV Gentle Wash – LINK
Strataderm XRT – LINK

4. Comfortable Bras

Because your skin may be sensitive or irritated during your radiation treatment, you may need soft and gentle clothing.

These bras are wireless, supportive, gentle on skin, and made of breathable material such as cotton or bamboo.

These are only suggestions, always be guided by your treating team.

Uniqlo ‘Ultra Relax’ Wireless Bra – LINK
Boody ‘Shaper Crop’ Bra, 3 pack – LINK
Bonds ‘Comfy Crop’ – LINK
Bella Bodies ‘Bamboo easy fit bra’ – LINK
Calvin Klein ‘Invisibles’ Lightly Lined Bra – LINK
Sloggi ‘Zero Feel Bra Top’ – LINK
Sloggi ‘Zero Feel Bra Shirt’ – LINK

5. Movement and Exercises

STRETCHES TO RELIEVE PAIN
5 of the best stretches to relieve pain, chest tightness, and improve shoulder motion after breast cancer surgery or radiation from an oncology and cancer physical therapist.

RECCOMENDED EXERCISES FOR DURING AND AFTER
Pictures demonstrating good stretches and techniques to relieve pain and tightness

Disclaimer

This site contains information, data, documents, policies, procedures, guidelines, images and general health promotion material pages prepared by Westmead Breast Cancer Institute ("the Information") for and on behalf of the Western Sydney Local Health District. Westmead Breast Cancer Institute wishes to make available the Information to better inform the community. The information is protected by copyright.

The information also includes information derived from various third parties ("the third party Information") which is neither endorsed or supported by Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, and/or Western Sydney Local Health District and/or State of New South Wales and does not necessarily reflect any policies, procedures, standards or guidelines of Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Western Sydney Local Health District or the State of New South Wales.
Whilst the Information and the third party Information contained on this site have been presented with all due care, Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and/or Western Sydney Local Health District and/or the State of New South Wales do not warrant or represent that the information or the third party information are free from errors or omissions.

The information and the third party information are made available on the understanding that Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, and/or Western Sydney Local Health District and/or the State of NSW and their respective employees and agents shall have no liability (including liability by reason of negligence) to the users for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information and/or the third party information and whether caused by reason of any error, negligent act, omission or misrepresentation in the information or the third party information or otherwise.

Further, whilst the information and the third party information are considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information and the third party information. The information and the third party information may change without notice and Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and/or Western Sydney Local Health District and/or the State of NSW are not and will not be , in any way, liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user.
Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and/or Western Sydney Local Health District and/or the State of NSW take no responsibility for the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of the information and/or the third party information nor for the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of links or references to information sources (including Internet Sites) outside of this site. Links to other Internet Sites are not under the control of Westmead Breast Cancer Institute or Western Sydney Local Health District or State of New South Wales and are provided for information only.

Although care has been taken in providing these links as suitable reference sources, due to the changing nature of the Internet content, it is the responsibility of the users to make their own investigations, decisions, enquiries about the information retrieved from other Internet Sites. Provision of these links does not imply any endorsement, non-endorsement, support or commercial gain by either Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Western Sydney Local Health District or the State of New South Wales.

Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Australia

Subscribe to our newsletter and updates