“Is radiation therapy for breast cancer painful?”
I am a 49-year-old female. I will have radiation therapy for breast cancer. Is it painful?
5 Answers
Radiation therapy to the breast can cause skin irritation and possibly skin break down which can be painful.
Dr. Joshua N. Halpern
Radiation Oncologist
External beam radiation does not hurt, but may produce rarely some skin reaction similar to a sunburn which heals like a sunburn. Sometimes, the breast radiation is done interstitially, inside the breast tissue, which needs to be discussed with the doctor who does the procedure.
Radiation therapy is not painful at all, especially with the new techniques which are now available in all radiation centers. There are some skin reactions that can be improved with different emollients prescribed by your doctor.
No. You will feel some skin irritation in 3-4 weeks especially in the axilla and under the breast.
Radiation therapy itself is painless. It does not use heat or temperature change. In some patients it may cause mild swelling and redness which can cause discomfort in some patients. Avoiding skin care products containing alcohol or oil is important as these can enhance skin reactions.
