After Your Breast Cancer Consultation in Radiation Oncology

At this point, you may be feeling overwhelmed, scared, confused, and a wide range of other emotions.  We hope that your visit helped dispel some of those fears.  You will next need to decide which type of breast radiation treatment is right for you.

Radiation Therapy

The purpose of radiation is to kill any of the cancer cells that remain after surgery.  It may lessen the chance of breast cancer returning.  Below are the two methods of treating breast cancer using radiation.  We believe them to be equal in effectiveness.

	How it is given	Treatment Schedule	Side Effects	Benefits
External Beam Radiation	High intensity x-rays are directed at the whole breast.	Once a day (15 minutes) for 4 to 6 weeks.	Skin reaction (like a sunburn). Fatigue.	Less invasive. Used for many years.
Breast Brachytherapy	Catheter(s) are placed into the breast in and around the area where the tumor was located.  A radiation substance is instilled through the catheters during the treatments.	Twice a day (45 – 60 minute sessions) for 5 days.	Mild to moderate discomfort from the catheter(s) (these are left in place throughout the treatment period). Minimal skin reaction.	Radiation is given closer to the cancer, sparing healthy tissue. Faster recovery.

When you have made your decision, please call your radiation oncology doctor.  If you choose either type of therapy, it will require a CT scan done in Radiation Oncology.

A CT scan is a type of x-ray.  A CT scan done in Radiation Oncology is used for treatment planning.  This type of CT is looked at only by persons within the department.  This type of scan is not used to diagnose disease.

Before the scan:

If you are pregnant, or think you might be pregnant, tell us before the scan is done.  This is to reduce the risk to your baby of being exposed to radiation. Your doctor will order a urine pregnancy test if you are of childbearing age (10-55 years of age) or have not gone through menopause.

Let us know if being in confined spaces is difficult for you.  We can give you medicine to help you relax.  If you take this type of medicine for the scan, you will need someone to drive you home.  You should not drive or use dangerous equipment for 24 hours.

You may eat and drink liquids up until the scan.  You may want to avoid a large meal right before the scan as you will by lying on your back. You will not receive contrast.

We will ask you to remove some of your clothing for the scan.  For women who are having a CT scan to plan breast radiation, this includes clothing that covers the upper body (i.e. shirt and bra).  You will be given a hospital gown, robe, towel, and/or blanket to use.

A photo of your face will be taken for your chart for identification purposes.

During the scan:

You will lie on a narrow table.  The table will move in and out of the opening of the scanner.  It takes about 30-60 minutes to complete the scan. A lot of this time is used for getting you into the right position.

The scan itself takes only a few minutes. During the scan, you will be alone in the room.  We will be able to see you through a window. We will be able to hear you through a speaker.  You will need to hold still during the scan.  Most often you will be on your back for the scan, however, you may be asked to lie on your stomach too.  You may be asked to have your arms resting above your head.  You may also be asked to “take a deep breath and hold” during part of the scan.  In most cases there is no pain or discomfort during the scan.  If you need something, or have any problems during the scan, just speak up as we will be listening for any concerns.

The radiation therapist will place approximately four ink marks or small tattoos on your skin.  Please do not remove any marks at home, unless you are told that you may do so. 

After the scan:

External Beam Radiation – Following the CT scan, you may be given an appointment for your first treatment.

Breast Brachytherapy – Following the CT scan, you will meet with your doctor to determine if you are a candidate for breast brachytherapy and you will receive education about the breast brachytherapy procedure with the nurse coordinator. We will proceed to schedule your catheter placement and treatments.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Radiation Oncology at

(608) 263-8500 between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.