About Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy

CT Simulation (CT Sim) for Breast Cancer

What is CT sim?

A normal CT is used help us find out what’s going on inside your body. CT sim is used to “take pictures” of the target area of your body. This helps us plan your treatment.

Expect your first day of treatment to take longer. We will need extra time to find the exact target area. After that, your treatment visits will go quicker.

What should I expect?

During the CT sim, the table will move and the room lights will blink. Be careful not to look directly at the red laser lights on the walls – this could hurt your eyes.

While you're on the table, the medical team will do imaging scans like MRI and CT scans. These scans help the doctor (radiation oncologist) learn exactly where to target treatment during radiation therapy.

Here are some other things you may notice during the CT sim:

• Skin markings or tattoos: The therapist will use a felt marker to draw on your skin. The marks help to aim the treatment. Sometimes, permanent marks are needed. In that case, a sterile needle is used to apply a small drop of ink.

• Mask: If you're getting radiation therapy to your head, you'll wear a special mask. The mask is a warm sheet of plastic mesh that is placed over your face. As it cools, it will harden to fit your face snugly. This process should take about 15 minutes.

• Vac-Lock: For treatment of parts of your body other than the head, a custom body mold called Vac-Lock may be used to keep you steady. This helps you stay in the exact same position for each treatment.

• Breath-hold or 4DCT technique: Sometimes radiation treatment is near organs that move quickly, like those help you breathe. In that case, your medical team will teach you techniques like breath-holding or 4DCT. These methods help make sure we are treating the right area.

Radiation Treatment for Breast Cancer

What should I expect when I arrive?

• Check in on ground level.

• A therapist will call you back to the treatment area.

• The first treatment, from start to finish, should take about 45minutes or less.

• After that, treatments should take 30 minutes or less.

• 1 day a week, you will see your doctor for a status check. The doctor will look for any side effects and check your skin.

• If you need to see the doctor before your status check, please tell any staff member or call the clinic at 859-323-6486 option 9.

What should I expect during treatment?

• Before you start receiving radiation therapy, the therapist will position you on the treatment table and make sure you are comfortable. You'll lie down on the table while the machine moves around you to deliver the radiation, so make sure you wear comfortable clothes. You will not see or feel the radiation, but you may hear the machine as it is turned on and off.

• You will be in the treatment room 10-40 minutes, depending on the complexity of your treatment. Even though you are alone during treatment, the therapists can see you on the monitor and hear you through the intercom. If you are uncomfortable, ask the therapists for help. They can turn off the machine and come in to see you at any time.

What side effects should I watch for?

Near-term side effects:

• Breast Soreness

• Breast swelling from fluid buildup (lymphedema)

• Skin changes or irritation

• Tiredness (fatigue)

• Nausea

Long-term side effects:

• Breast and skin changes

• Breast swelling from fluid buildup (lymphedema)

• Nausea

Skin care during radiation treatment

• Wash gently with Ivory soap and lukewarm water only. Avoid scrubbing. Pat your skin dry.

• Avoid the use lotions, ointments, makeup, or perfumed powders or products.

  • These can irritate skin or affect your treatment.

  • We recommend Ivory soap and Aquaphor ointment.

    • Do not put Aquaphor on the skin within 1 hour before radiation treatment. This will make the radiation skin reaction worse.

    • After the radiation treatment, you can apply Aquaphor.

• If you normally shave the treatment area, only use an electric razor. Do not use shaving products.

• Avoid scratching or lots of rubbing the skin near your treatment area.

• Wear clothes that protect, loose-fitting, and soft, such as cotton. Avoid tight clothes and rough fabrics like wool that may irritate the skin.

• Avoid using bandages or adhesive tape on the treated area.

• If you are being treated for breast cancer, do not wear a bra, or wear a loose-fitting bra with no underwire. Ask your provider about wearing your breast prosthesis, if you have one.

• Avoid using heating pads or cold packs on the skin.

• Keep treatment area out of direct sunlight while undergoing treatment

• Ensure to use sunscreen if treated area is visible.

Tell your provider if you have skin changes and any break or openings in your skin.

Follow-Up After Radiotherapy

• 1 month after your treatment is done, we will schedule a visit to check the radiation area and check your symptoms. Within 3 months after your last treatment, we will schedule an appointment to do imaging.

• Write down your questions and concerns before these follow-up visits. Bring them and a list of all your medicines with you. If you have a question or concern and need an answer right away, call your radiation oncologist or nurse.

Helpful Resources

Patient & Family Services (Case Management):

• Social workers in our Case Management office work with your healthcare team to make sure your needs are met. They help you plan your home care, transportation needs, lodging and advance directives. They can also help you and your family advice in times of stress or crisis.

• They are here Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or by calling 859-323-5501.

Guest accommodations:

• There are several hotels and motels near UK hospital. For a full list, go to an information desk or the Customer Relations Office (in Pavilion H, near the main entrance).

• For prices and reservations, contact the hotel of your choice directly.

Transportation in Lexington:

• For taxi service, call 859-231-8294.

• LexTran is Lexington’s bus service. Go to an information desk to learn more.

• To see bus schedules and fares, visit the Lextran website, download the Lextran mobile app, or call toll-free 1-800-648-6057.

Hospital shuttle services:

• We have free shuttles on Level A of the UK HealthCare Parking Garage at 110 Transcript Ave. These can take you to your clinic appointment.

• To plan a ride, do one of the following:

  • See a shuttle ambassador outside the main entrances of UK HealthCare buildings.

  • Visit Level A of the UK HealthCare Parking Garage.

  • Contact our information desk team at 859-323-5816.

• Shuttles run to both Pavilions A and H every 3 to 5 minutes. Shuttle ambassadors are at the shuttle loading areas 6 a.m.-10 p.m. They can answer questions, provide help and help plan your ride.

• Other shuttles, including one to Markey, run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Talk to a shuttle ambassador to find the right shuttle for you.

ADA-accessible parking and help:

• There are parking spaces for visitors with disabilities and special needs close to UK HealthCare facilities. Just display your state-issued ADA-accessible parking permit.

• Call 859-257-5757 for help finding accessible parking or a temporary permit.

Wheelchair help:

• If you or someone with you is at risk of falling, please ask for wheelchair help.

• Go to any of the information desks at the entrances or call 859-323-5816.