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 SIDE EFFECTS OF RADIATION

THERAPY
Radiation therapy to the breast can cause some side effects. Some begin during treatment. Others
may occur months or even years later.

Easing worries about radiation therapy

It’s normal to worry about possible side effects of radiation therapy.

Talk with your health care provider about your concerns.

Your provider may be able to suggest a hospital social worker, patient navigator, psychologist or
support group to help ease anxiety related to radiation therapy (or breast cancer).

Learn more about support groups.

Short-term side effects
Most often, side effects from radiation therapy begin within a few weeks of starting treatment and go
away within 2 weeks after treatment ends [10].

Let your radiation oncologist or nurse know how the sessions are making you feel. They may be able
to treat or prevent many side effects, or change your treatment plan to reduce them.

Pain and skin changes

During and just after treatment, your treated breast may be sore. Talk with your health care provider
about using mild pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen to ease breast
tenderness.

The treated breast may also be rough to the touch, red (like a sunburn) and swollen. Sometimes the
skin may peel, as if sunburned. Your provider may suggest special creams to ease this discomfort.

Sometimes the skin peels further and the area may become tender and sensitive (called a moist
reaction). This is most common in the skin folds and the underside of the breast.

If a moist reaction occurs, let your provider know. Your provider can give you creams and pads to
make the area more comfortable until it heals.

Learn more about easing pain related to radiation therapy.

Learn about long-term skin changes due to radiation therapy.

Fatigue
Fatigue is common during radiation therapy and may last for several weeks after treatment ends.

Learn more about fatigue.

Long-term side effects

Breast and skin changes
Over time, you may notice firmness or shrinkage of the breast.

You may also have mild tanning of the skin where the breast was treated or red discoloration,
especially around the surgical scar(s). These changes may be permanent.
 Lymphedema
Women who have radiation therapy to the lymph nodes in the underarm area (axillary nodes) or who
have axillary nodes removed may develop lymphedema.

Lymphedema is a condition in which fluid collects in the arm (or other areas such as the hand,
fingers, chest or back), causing it to swell.

The chances of getting lymphedema are greater if your treatment includes both [4,11]:

o Removal of a large number of axillary nodes during breast cancer surgery

o Radiation therapy to the axillary or supraclavicular (above the collarbone) lymph nodes

Being overweight also increases the risk of lymphedema [4,11].

Learn more about lymphedema.

Rare short-term side effects

Nausea and hair loss
Nausea is rare with radiation therapy for breast cancer.

You won’t lose the hair on your head. However, you may lose some hair under your arm or on the
breast or chest area getting radiation (this may be a concern for some men with breast cancer).

Rare short- or long-term side effects

Although rare with modern treatment, the conditions below may occur a few months or years after
radiation therapy.

Rib fracture
Rib fracture can occur when the radiation weakens the rib cage near the treatment area. This is rare
with modern treatment.

Heart problems
If radiation therapy is given to the left side of the chest, heart problems may develop years later.
 Many techniques are now used to limit this risk and with modern radiation therapy, the risk of heart
problems is almost always very small [12].

Lung problems
Radiation pneumonitis is an inflammation of the lungs that can cause shortness of breath, a dry
cough and low-grade fever. It's rare with modern treatment and almost always goes away with time.

Anti-inflammatory drugs can often relieve symptoms.

Nerve problems
Brachial plexopathy can happen when radiation damages nerves in the upper chest. It may cause
permanent tingling, pain and weakness in the affected hand and arm.

Nerve problems are very rare with modern treatment.

Radiation therapy and risk of a second cancer

In rare cases, radiation therapy to the breast can cause a second cancer.

The most common cancers linked to radiation therapy are sarcomas (cancers of the connective
tissue) [13-14]. For women who are long-term smokers, radiation therapy may also increase the risk
of lung cancer [12].

The risk of a second cancer is very small. If your radiation oncologist recommends radiation therapy,
the benefits of radiation therapy almost always outweigh this risk.

SUSAN G. KOMEN®SUPPORT
RESOURCES

o If you or a loved one needs more information about

breast health or breast cancer, call the Komen Breast
Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636). All
calls are answered by a trained specialist or oncology
social worker in English and Spanish, Monday through
Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET (6:00 a.m. to 7:00
p.m. PT). You can also email the helpline
at helpline@komen.org.
o We offer an online support community through our
closed Facebook Group – Komen Breast Cancer group.
The Facebook group provides a place where those with a
connection to breast cancer can discuss each other’s
experiences and build strong relationships in order to
provide support to each other. Visit Facebook and search
for “Komen Breast Cancer group” to request to join the
closed group.

o Komen Affiliates offer breast health education as well as

fund breast cancer programs through local community
organizations. Your local Affiliate may also help you find
breast cancer resources in your area. Find your local
Affiliate.

o Our Family and Friends section has detailed information

and resources for loved ones.

o Our fact sheets, booklets and other education

materials offer additional information.

Updated 06/10/19

 TOOLS & RESOURCES

RELATED VIDEO
RADIATION THERAPY

FACT SHEET
RADIATION THERAPY AND SIDE EFFECTS
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OR MORE INFORMATION?
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(1-877-465-6636)

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