Sensitive back after radiotherapy

Hi Mark

It's funny you should mention this, as I had radiotherapy on my right breast at the beginning of the year, and had no problems with it (apart from it looking slightly more tanned than the other!), but over the last couple of weeks it has become dry and even started to peel in places, again like sunburn. It is improving now but I guess it's just a (very) delayed reaction to the RT.

Hi Mark

I finished my radio about 2 months ago and the area is still getting darker. I suppose if you think about it the skin has taken a great big bloody beating and will take time to recover......

Take care

lesley x

Hi Jayne,

Many thanks for your posting.

When my wife had the breast cancer and the radiotherapy it never really affected her like this but I suppose the area of the back is a little thinner!

She is seeing the ocnsultant on Monday so will see what they say!

Cheers,

Mark x

Thanks Lesley,

I think that we sometimes underestimate how much of a battering that the body takes.

I will keep rubbing the cream in for her!

Cheers,

Mark x

Hi I think what you describe is perfecctly normal - the skin reaction is always delayed after treatment! My Dad had a square patch of sore skin on his back and his stomach after his radiotherapy - it got itchy and sore then healed over. You have to protect the skin from direct sunlight with high factor sunscreen for ever onwards after radiotherapy too! I believe the benefits of radiotherapy begin after around 4 weeks onwards - anyway it is not a quick process. If you are ever unsure about anything like this a quick flick through the cancerbackup info pages can often reassure as well as a call to the helpline! Best wishes Jools x

Hi Mark,

I agree - keep slapping on the aqueous cream and avoid all normal soaps and shower-gels. I was told to use the 'Simple' brand. It's a beggar to get any foam with this soap and I hated it but it helps. My skin split open in a line under my breast but it healed eventually with the use of a gel named 'Aquaform'.

Good luck
KateG

Yes, I also had radio to my lower back/pelvis. I used the aqueous cream dished out by the hospital whilst I was still having the treatment. Afterwards I used an aloe vera gel which comes in big tubes and is intended for dry, chapped skin, skin irritations and minor burns. It is very cooling and soothing, and a natural product. I asked the radiotherapist about it first to make sure that it was safe. I found it helpful. With best wishes xxx Penny

Hi Mark,
just noticed your post. I had 35 sessions of radiotherapy on my neck and I got my family to buy me an aloe vera plant. In the evening after treatment I cut a piece of plant and rubbed the gel from the inside into the treatment area. I have no marks on my neck from treatment so maybe this would help in your wifes case. Hope everything goes well for you,
Noreen,

Grand Idea, had not thought of one of the simple things like buying a natural healing plant. thanks very much