Radiotherapy treatment to your breast buds

Transcription

1 Acute Services Directorate Information for patients receiving Radiotherapy treatment to your breast buds

2 This leaflet is for patients with prostate cancer who will have radiotherapy to their breast buds (nipple area). It describes the radiotherapy planning and treatment and explains the effects that you may experience during and after treatment, and how best to cope with them. The effects of treatment vary from one patient to another. Therefore the information given here is intended as a general guide and does not mean that you will have all the effects described. Your doctor, nurse specialist or radiographer will explain your treatment to you. Before treatment begins it is important that you understand it and some of its possible effects. If you are in any doubt about anything or have any questions or problems, please let us know as soon as possible.

3 Preparation for Treatment Before radiotherapy begins the treatment must be carefully planned. This will take place in a consulting room. We will ask you to undress to the waist but will ensure your dignity is maintained by covering you up whenever possible. Your doctor will use a plastic template and mark in pen the area around your nipple requiring treatment. The radiographer will then place clear stickers over the pen marks so that they don t wash off before your treatment appointment. You can still bathe or shower wearing these stickers as long as you wash the area gently. The radiographer will also take photographs of the treatment area for the treatment radiographers to use as a guide. The radiographer might also take measurements on your skin using a ruler to make a record of the treatment area. You will have treatment the same day or within a few days of your planning appointment. Treatment You will have treatment on a Linear Accelerator, which is a type of x-ray machine, which gives radiotherapy. The staff who operate these machines are called therapy radiographers. When you arrive you should report to reception before taking a seat in your waiting area. The radiographers will explain everything to you before treatment starts. You will lie in the same position you were in when your treatment was planned. Treatment is delivered to the area using an applicator attached to the machine called an electron applicator. This allows the radiographers to give treatment to the nipple area without treating tissues below. The machine may seem close but it won t touch you. Your treatment is painless and usually takes around 5-10 minutes. When you are positioned correctly for treatment the radiographers will leave the room and switch the machine on. We watch you carefully from outside the room via closed circuit TV. You will feel no different immediately afterwards. Please check with the radiographers if you have any questions.

4 Effects of Treatment It is important to remember that this is a general guide. Everyone is different and the effects may vary. Tiredness: You may feel tired, especially in the first few days after your treatment, especially if you have just finished a course of radiotherapy to the prostate. Some people can feel very weak. Rest when you are tired. The tiredness may last for several weeks after treatment finishes. This is the time when you have to look after yourself so try and accept offers of help from family, friends and neighbours. This allows them to feel involved in caring for you during this time. Skin: Your skin may become pink and itchy soon after the treatment. Continue to wash as usual but with tepid water and use only unperfumed soap on the treated area. Do not use perfumed soaps or bubble bath. You can use aqueous cream on the affected area. You can get this from your GP or buy it at your local chemist. The reaction should settle within a few days and you can start to wash normally again. Apart from tiredness radiotherapy only affects the area of your body being treated. General Advice Keep drinking plenty of fluids as it is important that you don t become dehydrated. Skin care You may bath or shower during treatment, but don t have the water too hot (lukewarm). You may use unperfumed soap in the area but do not rub or scrub hard. Pat yourself dry with a soft towel. Don t use creams, lotions or deodorants on the treated area as these may irritate your skin. You can however use any cream given to you from the department. Avoid exposing the treated area to sunshine during treatment. Thereafter use total sunblock on the area.

5 What do I do if I feel ill? If you feel unwell and not able to come for treatment, let your treatment room know and contact your GP. If you feel able to come in to the department, let the radiographers know you are unwell as soon as you arrive and they can arrange for a doctor to see you. After Treatment Ends Any symptoms that have developed because of the treatment will gradually settle down. The tiredness can take several weeks to leave you so please don t worry and think things are going wrong. It s also important to remember that the full benefits of your treatment may take a number of weeks to be felt, and it may be a little while before you feel better. Our hope is that you will notice a gradual improvement in the days and weeks after your treatment has finished. Your doctor will arrange to see you about 4-6 weeks after treatment is completed.continue to try to eat and drink plenty of fluids and do as much as you feel able. Accept any offers of help from family and friends. Where can I get Help? Many people already have had a lot of information and support with their own Prostate Cancer or Macmillan Nurse Specialist at another hospital or in the community. Remember that they can also help you with any worries or concerns at this time, and because you know them already, they can provide invaluable help and support during and after your treatment. So please remember to give them a call if you need to.

6 Information & Support All our staff are here to make sure your treatment goes as smoothly as possible and will try to help with any questions or problems you may have. Further specialist help and information in the Beatson is available from: Information and Support Radiographer Tel: Macmillan Information Radiographer & Counsellor Tel: The Cancer Centre provides a Radiotherapy Advice Line available for patients who have completed treatment. Please leave your name, telephone number and brief description of your concern on the answering machine and we will call you back. It can help if you leave your hospital number or date of birth. This service is available Monday Friday only during office hours. Tel: Counselling & Clinical Psychology This leaflet deals with the physical aspects of your treatment, but your emotional well-being is just as important to us. Being diagnosed with cancer can be a distressing time for you and those closest to you. Within the department, we have a counselling and clinical psychology service that may be able to help with worries and difficulties you might be having before during or after treatment. We have an Information Centre on Level 1 where you can find further information and signposting to other services. Tel:

7 There are also voluntary organisations providing information and support. These include: Macmillan Cancer Support: Tel: Providing practical, medical, emotional and financial advice for those affected by cancer. Maggie s The Gatehouse: Maggie s Gartnavel: Maggie s Centre, Wishaw General Hospital: Maggie s Centre provides a comprehensive cancer support programme for people and their families affected by cancer. The Calman Cancer Support Centre, Cancer Support Scotland, Gartnavel Complex Freephone or Providing emotional and practical support on a one-to-one basis and through community based groups. Complementary therapies available. Macmillan Benefits Team (within the Beatson): Tel: Provides free and confidential advice for people affected by cancer and their carers. Prostate Cancer UK: Freephone: Provides information, emotional support and signposting to your local patient support group. NHS 24 Tel: Beatson Cancer Centre if you want to find out more about our Centre please visit

8 Written by D.Alimanoglu & L. Brown Nov 2012 Approved by L. Webster Nov 2012 Review date Nov 2014 Designed and Produced by Medical Illustration Services (24692) MIS