Can I Still Enjoy the Beach After Radiation Treatment?

Caitlin, you can enjoy the sun and beach under an umbrella or in the shade. The beach is energizing and beautiful. It would not be good for you to give that up

Thanks for your replay. I am an avid hiker, paddle boarder, sun walker.. these are the things I’m afraid I’ll loose. Under an umbrella is not the same as the way i enjoy my life now. None of the docs have said I’ll have to give that up but it’s the stories i hear that make me scared. I don’t want to under go this treatment and not understand fully what I’ll loose. If I can’t enjoy life in the same way , I’m just not sure this treatment is worth it. Even if I do it, it does not alíviate the fear of cancer returning. I don’t want to have to live with that fear as well as not be able to do the things i love. To me that is not a life worth living

My radiation oncologist said just to be sure to wear a high SPF sunscreen following radiation. No mention of avoiding the outdoors—just don’t get a sunburn! And no swimming if my skin starts to blister and peel toward the end. (Finished week 2 of 6 and so far so good.)

Yes. I finished 14 rounds radiation, a 2 weeks later left for Europe for 3 weeks. Swimming and sun bathing, just told not to get my chest burned so I used 30 regularly and did great 👍 We also have a pool and have been in the sun and in the pool every other day 👍 doing great

If you haven’t started radiation, I would say talk to your radiation Oncologist about using Mepitel Film (sp?). It saves your skin from sunburns and blisters. It is applied after 1st treatment and left on until completion of treatment. They should fix and reapply If it peels. You shower with it on and is super easy to deal with. If you haven’t heard of it look it up. My Dr at Compass Oncology uses it for all of his patients because the out come is so positively significant for his patient’s. I will scream this from the top of every building until all radiation oncologist use it for all of their patients. If your dr says it doesn’t work, they are not being truthful. It takes time to apply and they seem resistant because of that. I switched docs because she didn’t want to take the time. NOT OK. Good luck ladies. Fight for exceptional care

Thank you so much Karen! I think in all of this, I’m just looking to be seen and heard and my concerns bedsides just lowering cancer returning to be taken seriously. My Rad onc even said that to me… “well what you need to be worried about it breast cancer” as if anything else didn’t matter at all! I just want SOME other things to try to save my skin and body from this collateral damage! I’m gunna call my doc right now and ask about the film! I start on Wednesday and have been nauseous about it for weeks :(

So I called my clinic yesterday and they got back to me this morning. They said they have absolutely heard of the film but because it’s ’patient driven’ I’d have to buy it myself from Mayo Clinic and have it shipped which will not get here in time. So now I have to decide if I should delay the start of treatment or use it after I start when I get it. I paid to have to overnighted but it still will not be here in time. :( I’m so mad at these doctors for not giving me the info. It’s just another reason why I don’t trust them at all and feel like there is so much more they are not telling me to. I feel like i could just scream! How is it that they have been doing this for years and years and it’s like pulling teeth to get any answers?

That’s awful. I’m so sorry. I don’t know where you live. You will need to watch the video on how to apply. Starting after a few rounds should be fine. You do what you need to do. Make sure you completely cover the treated area. They should mark it for you. Keep me posted

I live in Seattle and most of my care has been through Swedish and it’s been horrible:(

I had my second treatment today. The film came and they put it on after the session. I feel like I can already feel the effects of the rads. My throat is horse and dry, my lips are chapped, I’m nauseous and my breast already feels firmer and hot. I am a very sensitive person and feel things extremely deep. I have had 6 surgery’s throughout this process already and this (radiation) is by far worse! I’m so scared about what this is going to do to my body. My anxiety before was just about BC recurrence. Now I get to still have that fear but also other cancers as a result, heart and lung disease, lymphedema, and radiation fibrosis. Not to mention the hit to my sex/body image :( . I feel really embarrassed and ashamed of this treatment too. Most people in my life do not abide by western medicine standers and so I’m receiving a lot of judgement and criticism for making this decision. It’s just making me shut down completely, disassociate and I fear caused irrevocable damage to my physce. Putting myself through this does not alleviate my anxiety of cancer returning so I’m not even sure I’m making the right decision:(

Caitlin, your fear Of other cancers, have they suggested genetic testing? They tested 70 markers and determined there was nothing to show I would develop any other type, the one chemo drug I was on caused heart damage so they also did genetic tests to make sure it was the drug and not hereditary. I will have my 3rd round of radiation today, my chemo side effects were absolutely horrible and I am still dealing with some over a month later, hoping radiation is easier for me than the chemo. 💕

My radiology oncologist told me I would be sun sensitive on the breast and armpit that was radiated, for the rest of my life. I live in Florida and am always in the backyard and pool. I just wear a sunblocking shirt when I'm outdoors and in the water. Look them up. There are many cute styles. I finished radiation 7 months ago.

Caitlin, you haven't mentioned what type of BC you have. I think the rate of recurrence varies from 15%-50%. I've known about 12 women with BC recurrences. 5 of them recurred as metastatic BC. Of those 5, I'm the only one still alive. My radiated breast is now 2 cups smaller, plus nipple changes. But, I had 14 years before my recurrence to MBC. I've thrived 8.5 years. It's okay for me to sit under an umbrella at the beach. I can't hike or kayak anymore and I miss it, but now I paint those beautiful memories and love it. I know you don't deserve this BC, but it's your journey. And it is a journey. Try to embrace it. Praying for you.

++- 1a grade 1. Does it really matter what kind tho in regards to this question? I’m 38! Still planning for kids, still dreaming of the a life worth living. Embrace what exactly? Isn’t it also fine to be upset and sad and refuse to give up on the things in life that bring me joy? Yea i like the way i look in a skimpy bikini. I like the way it feels to be in the sunshine and get tan. I enjoy passionate lovemaking with my husband. None of these things I want to give up. I don’t think that makes me a bad or vain person. I have spent 38 years in this body and have learned to love it like this and it’s been hard and taken work. Holding on to it the way it is and has been is important to me and i don’t think I’m wrong for that!

I recently finished 12 rounds of chemo …now on to the second treatment. 2 of 4 finished, yes I had to give up some of the things that I enjoy, but I’m alive and thankful for EVERY day!! My tumor is almost gone and I give God the credit for taking me through this journey gently. Try to live in the day! And get your toes in the sand as much as you can.

Sun protection becomes even more important during and after radiation treatment, as the skin in treated areas can become more sensitive to UV rays. Many people do find ways to continue enjoying beach time with some adjustments - like seeking shade during peak hours, wearing protective clothing, and using high-SPF sunscreen as recommended by their care team. It's wonderful that the beach brings such joy and supports mental health, so definitely discuss specific sun safety strategies with the radiation oncology team to find the best approach for continuing to enjoy those precious summer months safely.