• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Caramel & Parsley
  • Gardening
    • How To's
    • Bees
    • Vegetables
    • Fruit
    • Flowers
    • Pests
  • Recipes
    • Canning
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups & Stews
  • Health
  • About
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Gardening
  • Recipes
  • Health
  • About
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Personal

    Cancer radiation treatment & long term side effects

    Published 11 February 2014 by Liz Gardner | Leave a Comment

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    There can be long-term side effects from cancer radiation treatment. It is important, in fact imperative if you are a cancer survivor, to mention anything out of the ordinary such as persistent lumps, bumps, coughs, pain and tiredness, to your doctor or specialist. Nothing is too insignificant to mention. Clearing confusion (on your part) and knowing what to look for in future can save or extend your life and give some peace of mind.

    caution

    Personal Cancer Radiation side affect

    Often it seems that for a cure another affliction can occur; and for the past eight months I have, unbeknownst to me, experienced one of the possible side effects of breast cancer radiation. Early in 2013 a dime sized lesion appeared in the centre of my chest – literally over night. The lump was eventually removed but no biopsy was completed. Shortly after another similar growth appeared under my right arm but I still did not connect these lesions to my earlier breast cancer radiation treatment which was completed five years previous.

    During a routine mammogram follow-up for another concern I mentioned these growths to my breast cancer specialist - she noticed there were now in fact three lesions and removed them all the same day and sent them for biopsy. During this appointment she mentioned that there was a possibility that the lesions could be a side effect from the breast cancer radiation treatment and although rare (16%) there was possibility of skin cancer

    During another medical appointment the next day with an oncologist he mentioned that the growths could also be lung cancer metastasization. Frankly, I liked the third option which was “benign”. When I returned to my doctor for the results of the Surgical Pathology Report ten days later her first words were “no cancer” and yes, the lesions were probably a result of the radiation treatment where the skin has deteriorated. The relief was overwhelming - what a fabulous belated Christmas gift!

    Look for the silver lining When e'er a cloud appears in the blue
    Look for the silver lining
    When e'er a cloud appears in the blue

    Second cancers

    A very small number of people develop a second cancer caused by radiation therapy. The benefit of treating a person’s cancer usually far outweighs the risk of developing a second cancer from radiation therapy. People who receive both chemotherapy and radiation therapy have the highest risk of developing a second cancer. A second cancer can develop a few years after radiation treatment, but most do not occur for 10–20 years or more after treatment.
    ~ Canadian Cancer Society

    Notes & Links

    • Consult your doctor within one week if you have medical concerns such as new growths
    • There is little information available on long-term effects of breast cancer radiation after treatment
    • Short and long-term side affects of cancer treatments from the Canadian Cancer Society can be fatigue, skin reactions, changes in appetite, hair loss, radiation sickness, bone marrow suppression, reduced bone growth, anxiety or depression, sleep problems, changes in sexuality and second cancers
    • Long term side affects of cancer  from American Society of Clinical Oncology
    • Side effects of breast cancer treatment - John Hopkins Medicine
    • Keeping a healthy weight may aid in preventing lymphedema - National Cancer Society
    • There is a risk of heart disease if breast radiation is on the left side - Harvard Medical School
    • More information on risk of a secondary cancer from the radiation See Late Side Effects Wikipedia
    • Non small cell lung cancer overview, treatments and side affects
    Remember somewhere the sun is shining, So always look for the silver lining And try to find the sunny side of life
    Remember somewhere the sun is shining,
    So always look for the silver lining
    And try to find the sunny side of life

    Disclaimer

    The contents and information in this article are unique to the writer and based on personal opinion and experiences and are not to be misconstrued in any way as health care advice but is provided for interest and hopefully learning purposes.

    Always seek qualified medical care and guidance if you think you have a health concern.

    The author assumes no responsibility for all content including information from other sources such as medical or health advice.

    A heart full of joy and gladness Will always banish sadness and strife. So always look for the silver lining And try to find the sunny side of life.
    A heart full of joy and gladness
    Will always banish sadness and strife.
    So always look for the silver lining
    And try to find the sunny side of life.

    Look for the Silver Lining (in part)
    (Jerome Kern Music & Bud de Sylva lyrics, 1920)

    There's a way to make your very biggest trouble small,
    Here's the happy secret of it all

    Chorus:
    Look for the silver lining
    When e'er a cloud appears in the blue
    Remember somewhere the sun is shining,
    So always look for the silver lining
    And try to find the sunny side of life

    I am sure your point of view will ease the daily grind
    So I'll keep repeating in my mind

    Look for the silver lining
    When e'er a cloud appears in the blue
    Remember somewhere the sun is shining,
    So always look for the silver lining
    And try to find the sunny side of life

    A heart full of joy and gladness
    Will always banish sadness and strife.
    So always look for the silver lining
    And try to find the sunny side of life.

     

     

     

    More Personal

    • The Book Man - a Terrific Book Resource
    • Lung Cancer - 10 Years & Counting
    • En route camping
      Simple Fun Activities for Healthy Aging
    • Here is the amazing rebounder in our home
      Rebounding Into Senior Years
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    Filed Under: Health, Personal

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Liz! I have been a happy gardener all my life. My goal on this blog is to share tips and resources to help you learn how to garden too. Passionate about all things "healthy". Life long learner and asker of "how".

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Vegetable gardening on a steep slope
      Vegetable Gardening on a Steep Slope
    • Fragrant fresh Meyer lemons growing at home
      Growing Citrus Trees in Lower Mainland, B.C
    • The Great Potato Debate ~ which variety to grow
    • Bright yellow kale flowers attract bees & hummingbirds
      4 Reasons to Leave Kale to Winter-Over

    Gardening

    • Stately buck deer in Fraser Valley urban city
      Fall is in the air - Watch for Wildlife
    • What's Happening in the Veggie Patch this Summer
    • Shopping at Your Local Thrift Store
    • Bright yellow squash flowers attract many beneficial insects
      How to Grow Butternut Squash
    See more Gardening →

    Recipes

    • Three Quick & Easy Dinners to Make
    • Chicken Cacciatore
      Easy to Make Chicken Cacciatore
    • Roast Butternut Squash Soup - the best!
    • Home grown beetroot - No chemicals added
      Beet or Borscht Soup - An easy to make Meal
    See more Recipes →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Start Here

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Copyright © 2023 · Caramel & Parsley
    Disclaimer & Copyright