What are the hazards of radiotherapy for breast cancer

For female patients, breast cancer is a fatal malignant tumor that causes great harm and impact on the health of female patients. Next, the author will introduce to you what are the hazards of breast cancer after radiotherapy? How to prevent it? Let's take a look at the following introduction.

Endogenous factors of breast cancer include endocrine dysfunction (excessive estrogen), hypothyroidism or poor prognosis of breast cancer patients with thyroid disease; exogenous factors include taking contraceptives for too long, taking estrogen in people without ovaries, women who have their first menstruation before the age of 13, high-fat diet, etc.

What are the risks of radiotherapy for breast cancer?

1. Early local reactions: local skin redness and pain occur within 2 to 3 weeks of radiotherapy, which can spread beyond the irradiation field and usually subside after 1 to 2 weeks; late local complications: hardening of the skin; lymphedema may occur 6 to 7 years after treatment, leading to persistent edema of the upper limb where surgery was performed.

2. The skin in the treatment area will become red, dry, stinging, and itchy. As the treatment progresses, the skin will become moist and blistered. The radiotherapy area should be exposed to the air as much as possible to facilitate skin recovery. Alternatively, you should wear loose cotton clothes because clothes will rub and irritate the skin.

To prevent the sequelae of radiotherapy for breast cancer, you should do the following:

1. Establish a good lifestyle, adjust your life rhythm, and keep a good mood.

2. Adhere to physical exercise, actively participate in social activities, avoid and reduce mental and psychological stress factors, and maintain a calm mind.

3. Develop good eating habits. Pay attention to balanced nutrition during infancy and promote breastfeeding; reduce excessive intake of high-protein and low-fiber foods during childhood; avoid excessive intake of fat and animal protein during adolescence and strengthen physical exercise; control total calorie intake after menopause to avoid obesity. Develop the habit of not consuming excessive amounts of meat, fried eggs, butter, cheese, sweets, etc., eat less pickled, smoked, fried, and grilled foods, and increase the intake of fresh vegetables, fruits, vitamins, carotene, olive oil, fish, and bean products.