What does bolus do during radiation and will it cause skin damage?
Community Member
6 days agoA bolus with radiation?? I've had radiation twice before on the right side and of course it returned on the left side! I just started radiation on the left and they used a bolus?? Nobody told me ahead of time they were going to use this and I'm furious!! I can't stand it when they just "DO" something to me without telling me!! I knew it was to make it stronger but I'm wondering how much stronger?? I've been very fortunate that the right side never got the blisters or peeling skin ...I'm guessing this is probably going to happen using bolus?? If you had a bolus used how bad was it?
Community Member
6 days agoA bolus is a material placed on the skin during radiation to help the treatment reach areas closer to the surface more effectively. While it can increase the chance of skin reactions like redness, dryness, or peeling compared to radiation without bolus, many people tolerate it well with proper skin care. It's completely understandable to feel frustrated about not being informed beforehand - having open communication with your radiation team about what to expect and why certain techniques are being used can help you feel more prepared and in control of your treatment decisions.
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