Side Effects To Radiation Therapy For Breast Cancer

Radiation therapy and risk of a second cancer.

Side effects to radiation therapy for breast cancer.

Radiation not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Rapidly growing cells such as cancer cells are more susceptible to the effects of radiation therapy than are normal cells. Many people who get radiation therapy have fatigue. On these pages you can read about the kinds of side effects you may experience over the course of your radiation treatment.

In rare cases radiation therapy to the breast can cause a second cancer. Damage to healthy cells can cause side effects. Fatigue is feeling exhausted and worn out. Radiation therapy for breast cancer uses high energy x rays protons or other particles to kill cancer cells.

For women who are long term smokers radiation therapy may also increase the risk of lung cancer. Still if you do have fears about side effects it can take away your peace of mind. Short term side effects occur during the treatment or directly afterward usually within 6. The x rays or particles are painless and invisible.

The most common cancers linked to radiation therapy are sarcomas cancers of the connective tissue. Lowered white blood cell counts. Red swollen warm sensitive skin it might feel like you have a sunburn. Read about the how radiation affects the skin in the managing skin side effects pages.

Side effects of external beam radiation depending on the dose and type you may notice these during treatment.