Inside: Everything you need to know about the side effects of radiation for breast cancer so that you don’t refuse this treatment out of fear.
As I said in my Ultimate guide to radiation treatment, the side effects of radiation for breast cancer deserve their own separate post. No, no, not because there are so many of them and they’re all horrible, don’t think that! Okay, yes, there are quite a few listed, but have you seen the list of potential side effects of, say, ibuprofen?
OMG, eww! Did you know about all of them before you took your first pill? I know I didn’t… and I had no side effects. Now, I’m not saying you should skip over the side effects of any drug or treatment from now on because ignorance = zero side effects. Not saying that at all. However, I don’t think it’s wise to reject a proven treatment for a fear of side effects.
So, here’s the list (much, much shorter than ibuprofen’s) of side effects again:
Short-term:
- Pain and skin changes
- Fatigue
Long-term:
- Breast and skin changes
- Lymphedema
Rare short-term:
- Nausea and hair loss
Rare short/long-term:
- Rib fracture
- Heart problems
- Lung problems
- Nerve problems
- Risk of a second cancer
Look, I’m no expert, I’m just someone who’s been there, done that. I’m also someone who’s well aware of how much confusing information is out there. Here’s an expert article about radiation therapy you can trust. Now, let us laypeople take a look at those side effects one by one.
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read the policy.
Common side effects
Pain
Pain as a side effect of radiation for breast cancer doesn’t actually refer to pain you feel WHILE your breast is being irradiated. I don’t believe it’s all too common to feel any pain in those few seconds of treatment. But the sharp shooting pains in your breast that you randomly experience several times a day? Yep, that’s a side effect. You can never tell that it’s coming, you can’t really prepare for it, it literally comes out of nowhere… and that sucks! Also, it goes away just as quickly.
Is it fun? Um, not by my definition, but keeping in line with the whole positive attitude that has basically become a full-time job, you can look at the pain as gentle reminders you’re alive. My radiation treatment ended months ago, and I still get these zingers every now and then, though nowhere near as often (maybe once in 2-3 weeks). Apparently, these wonderful shooting pains can keep coming for years, but their frequency will keep decreasing as well.
If fear of pain is an issue you need help with, try this hypnosis audio.
Skin changes
Skin changes in the treated area are similar to a sunburn: redness, skin peeling, darkening of the skin. If your skin tone is very light and prone to sunburn, you may experience this particular side effect as pretty severe. Most skin changes get better within a few months and there are things you can do to help.
You may want to avoid exposing the treated area to the sun because it could make the skin changes worse. One interesting thing with radiation therapy that is different from a sunburn is that the beam goes through your body and affects the skin on your back, too. I had a small itchy spot on my back for about a week. The key here is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.
If you have read my Ultimate Guide, you may have already ordered one or both of the gels that helped me breeze through my treatment. If you haven’t read it yet, here you go: This one has a standard gel consistency that takes a while to absorb. This one is a bit more liquid and has a lovely lavender scent. Or pick from these highly rated ointments.
Fatigue
Ah, yes, the fatigue from radiation treatment is very real! I experienced this wonderful side effect within a few days, and it was strange and frustrating, but not as horrible as I had feared. If you’re lucky to have someone help around the house, just take a nap whenever your body needs one. Besides getting plenty of rest, the two things you should do to feel as well as you can during treatment are HYDRATION and EXERCISE.
Having much lower energy levels can be daunting, especially if your situation does not really allow frequent unplugging. My advice: ask for help. I know how hard it can be, and I know some of your friends may have gone very quiet since your diagnosis, but people generally want to help, they just don’t know how. So, you need to help them… help you.
If you’re intent on beating the fatigue and are looking for a proven method, I’m sorry to let you down but I don’t have one. I just gave in to it. However, you might want to check out this book I found for you – it has excellent reviews and is available on Audible, too. Not an Audible member yet? Sign up for a 30-Day Free Trial and get two free audiobooks.
Breast and skin changes
This can be a long-term side effect of radiation treatment for breast cancer. Over time, the irradiated breast may become firmer or smaller. Also, your “radiation tan” or red discoloration – especially around the surgical scar – may be permanent. Sure, these issues may be “just cosmetic”, but if you feel strongly about your skin, the issues could be emotionally damaging. Please don’t neglect this part of your breast cancer journey. We should all come out the other end feeling beautiful. Are you struggling with your body image? Let’s talk. I went from flinching every time I looked at my weird new chest to fully embracing it and happily flaunting it in public in just a few short months.
Lymphedema
What is it? In lay terms, it’s swelling caused by fluid collected in the arm, but may also occur in the breast, chest, or back. Radiation therapy to the lymph nodes in the underarm area or removal of axillary lymph nodes may cause lymphedema. Being overweight also increases the risk.
Most cases of lymphedema cannot be cured but can be treated, which means that treatment can reduce pain and swelling as well as improve movement. If you notice signs of lymphedema, talk to your health care provider. Would you like to read more about it? Here’s a complete lymphedema management and nutrition guide from a fellow cancer survivor.
Looking for a compression sleeve to treat lymphedema? Here’s a list of highly-rated products, all under $25 and Prime eligible.
Rare side effects
Nausea and hair loss
Nausea may occur when you receive radiation to the stomach, abdomen, or middle back so it’s super rare for radiation to the chest.
Hair loss from radiation may occur in the treated area, which is basically a nice bonus because you won’t need to shave that armpit for several months.
Rib fracture, heart problems, lung problems, and nerve problems
The risk of these side effects is very small with modern radiation therapy.
Risk of a second cancer
Again, this only happens in rare cases. If your doctor recommends radiation therapy, the benefits almost always outweigh this risk.
There you have it. Does radiation therapy for breast cancer have side effects? Yes, but most of them are very tolerable and disappear within a few weeks, and the rest of them are super rare. Still worried? Talk to me, I want to help!
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