There are many treatment options available for patients with breast cancer. Choices made regarding treatment will vary according to the progression and type of cancer. The different options available for treatment are surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy, and chemotherapy.

Along with chemotherapy and radiation come many side effects. The duration of certain side effects, depend upon the type of treatment or drug used. Radiation has very little side effects compared to chemotherapy. This is mainly because radiation focuses on the inflicted area only.

The use of radiation for breast cancer reduces the chance of the cancer returning by fifty to sixty-six percent. Therefore, it is a very effective treatment after surgery, to destroy any cells that may have been, left behind. However, since radiation will kill normal cells along with the cancer cells, there will be side effects.

Some long-term side effects of radiation treatments are as follows.

Changes in the appearance of the breasts:

The skin exposed to the radiation might become dark, the darker your skin tone, the darker the skin will appear after treatment. The color change can go away within three to six months, but may last many years for some women. A small percentage of patients may see a small section of tiny blood vessels in the treated, which normally do not go away.

Lymphoedema:

Sometimes the treatment can affect the normal drainage process of the lymphatic system. When this happens, the fluid builds up and causes the area to swell. To prevent lymphoedema, surgeons attempt to perform the surgery and radiation at different times to reduce the risk of damaging the lymph nodes.

Although the lymphoedema itself cannot be cured, the swelling and pain can be treated. Elastic sleeves are worn to reduce the swelling, and certain exercises are prescribed for the swelling. Another method used to reduce swelling is a special massage known as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD).

Radiation Fibrosis:

This rare side effect causes persistent coughing and/or shortness of breath. Women who suffer from this condition may have it for many years after the treatment. It is thought to be the result of the direct radiation to the chest.

Pain or loss of movement in the arm or shoulder:

Severe pain in the shoulder and/or loss of use of the arm is a very rare side effect. It is common for the cancer to be treated in many different angles. When this happens, it creates an overlapping of radiation

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