Living with Breast Cancer
Living with breast cancer
While radiation therapy itself may be painless, it impacts your body in ways that you can’t always see. To keep your body strong, here is a list of things to do during treatment:
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Get plenty of rest; don’t push yourself too hard.
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Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids.
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Treat your skin in the treatment area with care. Clean with warm water and mild soap, avoid hot or cold packs, and check with your doctor before using lotions or ointments.
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Talk to your doctor about any medications or supplements you are taking to make sure they are safe to use during radiation.
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Follow your doctor’s orders and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
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Find a support group or seek out help to cope with the stress of your cancer and treatment.
You can use an over-the-counter pain medicine if you have pain after treatment. Avoid using a heating pad or warm compress on any area treated by radiation. If pain persists, contact your MRO team.
“Being a breast cancer survivor has helped me be a better radiation therapist and a source of tips for patients in managing side effects. I’ve learned gratitude from my patients and from my own journey. I don’t take anything for granted, I don’t procrastinate on going for my goals anymore, and I’m thankful every day.”
Julie | MRO Radiation Therapist and Breast Cancer Survivor
Life after treatment
Once your treatment is complete, you’ll have follow-up appointments to check the results of treatment and monitor your health over the coming months.
It’s typical to need extra rest. So, listen to your body – nap when you need to– and get as much sleep at night as you can. Be gentle with your skin in the treatment area. Any skin irritation should go away in several weeks.
“The team at MRO was great. They really know what they’re doing. I have so much confidence in them as far as what they do from a medical standpoint. But really, they want to know about me as a person too. They want to know every day that I am doing okay. Not just physically, but just everything about me. They really looked after me.”
Mary | Breast Cancer Survivor
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