Cancer radiation treatment & long term side effects

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.

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!

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

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.

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.