Cancerbackup: Radiotherapy

Skip the page content navigation if you do not require links to content sections within this page.

Page Content Navigation

Skip the main banner if you do not want to read it as the next section.

Page Banner

Want to speak to a specialist cancer nurse? Call free on 0808 800 1234


Skip the primary navigation if you do not want to read it as the next section.

Primary navigation


Skip the main content if you do not want to read it as the next section.

Q&As on this topic

1. I am going to have surgery for a breast cancer and have been told I will need a full 'axillary clearance' of the lymph nodes under my arm. They also say I will need radiotherapy. Does this mean I will get a swollen arm?

last reviewed: 25.01.2006

2. I am concerned about the possible long term side effects of radiotherapy on my heart. I am having treatment for a left sided breast cancer.

last reviewed: 14.04.2004

3. I am soon to have radiotherapy following a diagnosis of breast cancer. Are there any specific things I need to do to protect or look after my skin? I am African-Caribbean.

last reviewed: 01.06.2006

4. I had radiotherapy two months ago following a mastectomy for breast cancer. I have now become breathless and my doctors say I have radiation pneumonitis. What does this mean?

last reviewed: 01.06.2006

5. I've had surgery for an early breast cancer and have been told I need to have radiotherapy. I've been told I will have five weeks of radiotherapy but a friend of mine had just three weeks of treatment. Is my situation worse than hers or has she received substandard treatment?

last reviewed: 01.06.2006

6. What are the side effects of radiotherapy to the bones? I have breast cancer in the bones and have been advised to have treatment.

last reviewed: 01.06.2006

7. I have heard of a new treatment for breast cancer called intra-operative radiotherapy. Is this available in the UK?

last reviewed: 01.04.2004

All Q&As are selected from some of the thousands asked by people contacting Cancerbackup every year. They are answered by specialists and reviewed and updated regularly.


The best cancer information for everyone
Cancerbackup has merged with Macmillan Cancer Support. We will be providing the same high quality, expertly developed information about cancer, but now we can make it available to everyone who needs it.
Q&As

Related information

Resources