What is radiation therapy like after breast lumpectomy surgery?

I had 4 weeks of radiation following a lumpectomy. The rad oncologist prescribed mometasone, a steroid cream to use after each session. It may have helped, i only got minimal dermatitis. At that point they also gave me some miaderm cream with lidocaine . She warned me about fatigue as a side effect but i really didn’t experience that. It helps to either leave off the bra or wear a very soft one without underwire.

My daily routine didn’t change much. I worked around my sessions

I'm just starting this journey and am wondering how often the radiation sessions are. I read it's 5 days a week for 2-3 weeks. Is that what others have experienced?

I had 5 days a week for 4 weeks. I was offered a shorter course but there was not much data on how effective it was. This was in 2024

Radiation therapy after lumpectomy is a common and important part of treatment, and it's completely natural to want to know what to expect from others who've walked this path. Many patients find that connecting with others who've had similar experiences helps them feel more prepared and less anxious about the process ahead - hopefully some community members will share their insights about daily routines and helpful preparation strategies.

While connecting with others is definitely valuable, I'd also encourage asking your radiation oncologist about the specific timeline and side effects you might expect, since everyone's treatment plan can be quite different depending on factors like the size and location of your tumor.

I'm about to start radiation treatment following a lumpectomy in my left breast. Having a CT scan in the two days. I've been told it need to practice DIHB to move my heart out of the way so that it doesn't get any radiation. 4 weeks 5 days each. Not sure what to expect but I'll be glad when it's over.

I hope it goes well Debra

I had to drive about 45 min. to the Breast Cancer Center for my post lumpectomy radiation. Monday-Friday for four weeks. The treatments were easy and brief (10 min.) though laying face down on a sternal support was a little uncomfortable. My team prescribed Mometasone cream to area twice daily I was instructed to use twice daily moisturizer with no fragrance and minimal chemicals. (I used Eucerin). My radiation ended early last October. I did develop several small radiation burns 2 weeks after my radiation. Uncomfortable, but went away after a few weeks of using Silvadene cream changing dressing twice daily. I’m 72 so my experience may be a little different. The skin at the site did become darker, but that has pretty much gone away.

I shared before, but one thing that made my trip to radiation more pleasant was to treat myself to lunch at a favorite tavern, and then browse through my favorite little shops. I also napped whenever I wanted and allowed myself freedom to do as I pleased. It was an easy treatment process but I found that I was still quite emotional about my diagnosis, and had some anxiety about future possibilities, so being kind to myself was and still is helpful!

I left work at 3 PM for a short 3:30 appointment during my 5 weeks of treatment. I religiously used a cream the radiologist gave me (was 18 years ago - don’t remember name but Amazon has some highly rated specific creams for radiation or you can ask your pharmacist) and was only tender during the end then my skin peeled. I was advised by a nurse to cancel a vacation that started a week after the treatment ended because I would be “too tired” - I was not the least bit tired and took long walks every day throughout treatment or after. I kicked myself for cancelling….

My daily schedule was normal. I used Aquaphor cream. I had no issues. I wore a sports bra. I had chemo before I had radiation. I was still tired from chemo. I never felt tired from radiation.

Grace that was my schedule. My actual radiation was 2 minutes a session. But I was there more like 30 minutes getting set up etc for the treatment. Use Aquaphor cream on the area they radiate. Use it after you have treatment...not during the appointment

Hello My Name Is Lynne I Had A Breast Cancer Lumectomy and. Lymph Nodes Removal in 8/26/25 after which I Hadhave another Surgery Due to Blood Clots Forming In My Breast The Lumectomy Was Done Then I Had To Have Discharged Blood Transfusions After That My Legs Had Bilateral Blood Clots I Was Transported To Valley Point Nursing And Rehab On 9/12/25 Where I Stayed Till 12/13/25 When I Was Discharged To Go . 5 Dayes A Week For 20 Sessions I Completed My Radiation On 2/24/26 Next Will Be 5 Years Of A Estrogen Hormone Cancer Blocking Medication For 5 Years And A Vibrant Positive Attitude.

I wish you well Debra.

Thank You I With All Of You A Positive Road To Recovery.

Wish

You too

Everyday Of My Radiation Treatment I Wore The Same Outfit It Made My Mornings Easier I Woke Up The Same Time Every Morning 7:30am You May Think Why This Way I Could Enjoy My Mornings Before Going To Radiation Then I Would Have A Relaxing Time Then Uber Would Take Me To My Radiation Appointment.

I had a large series of Radiation I wanted reconstructive surgery. No one had told me that my tissue would be destroyed. I was unable to have reconstructive surgery as a result of radiation.