Overview

Your doctor will talk to you about the benefits and risks of having radiotherapy. The risks of having radiotherapy to the breast or chest wall are outlined in this information.

You will need to sign a consent form agreeing to have treatment. You will also need to give consent on the day of your planning scan. Giving consent means that you agree to the treatment.

You might decide that you do not want to have radiotherapy. Talk again with your doctor and let them know what you have decided. You can ask for a second opinion on your diagnosis or treatment at any time during your consultation or treatment process. Please speak to your specialist cancer doctor (clinical oncologist) or GP for information about how to do this.

Your patient pathway

1. When you have consented (agreed) to radiotherapy, you will be referred for a CT planning scan and radiotherapy.
2. You will book a radiotherapy appointment through the radiotherapy bookings team, phone: 020 7188 3160.
3. You will come to the Cancer Centre at Guy’s or Guy’s Cancer at Queen Mary’s Hospital for a planning CT scan. This appointment takes about 30 minutes.
4. About 2 weeks later, you will come to the radiotherapy department for your first radiotherapy treatment. Radiotherapy treatment appointments take about 30 minutes.
5. Your oncologist will decide how many weeks of treatment sessions you’ll need.
6. You will have a follow-up appointment 2 to 6 weeks later at your original hospital.

About radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses radiation (high-energy X-rays) to treat cancer. The radiation only damages the cells in the treatment area, killing the cancer cells but allowing normal healthy cells to recover. Any side effects of radiotherapy are usually only in the area being treated.

Your treatment will be over a number of days and weeks so that only small doses (fractions) of radiation are given. Your clinical oncologist will prescribe the amount of radiation you need, and tell you how many treatments you will have, and over how many weeks. Treatment is given on weekdays (Monday to Friday), with a break at the weekend.

It is important that you come to all of your treatment appointments.

Before radiotherapy starts

Pacemakers

If you have a pacemaker, please tell your doctor as soon as possible. You will need to have it checked before your radiotherapy treatment.

Pregnancy

Tell your oncologist if you are pregnant before the first planning session starts.

It is very important that you are not pregnant, and do not become pregnant while having radiotherapy planning and treatment.

If you think you might be pregnant at any time during your course of treatment, tell your clinical oncologist or radiographer immediately. If necessary, please speak to your GP about contraception methods suitable for use during radiotherapy.

More information

To improve treatments and services, we regularly audit the department. This can involve using patient notes. Any data collected will have all personal details removed, such as name and location. If you would prefer that your notes are not seen, please let your consultants know. This will not affect your treatment in any way.

You may be eligible for clinical trials for your cancer. Your doctor will discuss this with you if it’s appropriate.

• Macmillan Cancer Support. If you have any questions about cancer, need support, or just want to chat, call the free Macmillan Support Line 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm, phone 0808 808 0000.
• Breast Cancer Now. For free, confidential information and support, contact Breast Cancer Now, phone 0808 800 6000.