Many patients are able to work during their radiation treatment. Sometimes patients work during the first few weeks of treatment but need to take time off near the end due to side effects. It usually depends on the site of the body being treated, the type of radiation, the dose of radiation and if chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs as part of a standardized chemotherapy regimen. Chemotherapy may be given with a curative intent, or it may aim to prolong life or to reduce symptoms. Chemotherapy is one of the major categories of the medical discipline specifically devoted to pharmacotherapy for cancer, which is called medical oncology.
Can I take time off work for breast cancer treatment?
The act allows employees with serious medical illness, such as breast cancer, to use their leave "intermittently." That means you could take off one day each week or take two weeks off to recover from surgery while saving the remaining weeks to use during radiation or chemotherapy treatments.
How long does radiation therapy take to work for breast cancer?
Typically, patients have treatment sessions 5 times per week (Monday through Friday). This schedule continues for 3 to 9 weeks. This type of radiation therapy targets only the tumor. However, it will affect some healthy tissue surrounding the tumor.
Can I work during my radiation treatment?
Can I work during treatment? Many patients are able to work during their radiation treatment. Sometimes patients work during the first few weeks of treatment but need to take time off near the end due to side effects.
Should I have radiotherapy after a mastectomy?
Radiation can also be used after mastectomy. In this situation, the radiation can kill any cancer cells that might remain and reduce the risk that the cancer may recur in the remaining tissues of the chest wall or lymph nodes. When determining whether you should undergo radiation after mastectomy, your doctor considers whether you have:
Can you work while going through radiation?
Can I work during treatment? Many patients are able to work during their radiation treatment. Sometimes patients work during the first few weeks of treatment but need to take time off near the end due to side effects.
Can I work while having breast cancer treatment?
Some people are able to keep working while they're getting cancer treatment. Some people work their usual full-time schedules. Some work the same schedules under special conditions (accommodations), like being closer to the office bathroom so it's easier to deal with side effects.
How long does a radiation session take for breast cancer?
Delivery of the radiation may last only a few minutes, but expect to spend 15 to 45 minutes for each session, as it can take several minutes to set you up in the exact same position each day. This step ensures precise radiation therapy delivery. Radiation therapy is painless.
How long does it take to recover from radiation therapy for breast cancer?
You may start to notice side effects about 2 weeks after you start radiation therapy. They may get worse during your radiation therapy, but they'll slowly get better over 6 to 8 weeks after your last treatment. Some side effects may take longer to go away.
Will I need time off work for radiotherapy?
Some people manage to continue to work during radiotherapy treatment, but may need to reduce their hours. Other people stop working completely while they're having radiotherapy and for a few weeks afterwards. Side effects Radiotherapy may make you feel tired.
What can you not do during radiation treatment?
Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, and other hard, dry foods such as chips or pretzels. It's also best to avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods if you are experiencing these symptoms. Your care team can recommend nutrient-based oral care solutions if you are experiencing mucositis or mouth sores caused by cancer treatment.
What can I expect after my first radiation treatment?
The most common early side effects are fatigue (feeling tired) and skin changes. Other early side effects usually are related to the area being treated, such as hair loss and mouth problems when radiation treatment is given to this area. Late side effects can take months or even years to develop.
Can you drive after radiation treatment?
Will I be able to drive after my radiotherapy treatment? Almost all patients are able to drive while receiving radiotherapy treatment. However, with some types of cancer, driving may NOT be recommended due to fatigue or strong pain medication. Your physician will be able to address your specific case.
Is breast radiation painful?
The radiation treatment procedure is painless, but it may cause some skin discomfort over time. When treating early-stage breast cancer, radiation therapy is often given after surgery. Surgery is done to remove the cancer, and radiation is done to destroy any cancer cells that may remain after surgery.
How will I feel after radiation for breast cancer?
The main short-term side effects of external beam radiation therapy to the breast are: Swelling in the breast. Skin changes in the treated area similar to a sunburn (redness, skin peeling, darkening of the skin) Fatigue.
Can you wear clothes during radiation?
Wear loose, soft, cotton clothing over the area being treated. Avoid stiff or starched clothing near the area being treated. Do not put anything but mild soap (such as Dove) and lukewarm water on the skin in the treated area, unless the doctor or nurse says that it is safe to do so.
Do you lose hair with radiation?
Radiation therapy can also cause hair loss on the part of the body that is being treated. Hair loss is called alopecia. Talk with your health care team to learn if the cancer treatment you will be receiving causes hair loss.
How long does radiation therapy last on breast?
Another option is hypofractionated radiation therapy where the radiation is also given to the whole breast, but in larger daily doses (Monday through Friday) using fewer treatments (typically for only 3 to 4 weeks).
What is radiation therapy for breast cancer?
Radiation for Breast Cancer. Radiation therapy is treatment with high-energy rays (or particles) that destroy cancer cells. Some women with breast cancer will need radiation, in addition to other treatments. Radiation therapy is used in several situations: After breast-conserving surgery (BCS), to help lower the chance that ...
How is brachytherapy done for breast cancer?
Intracavitary brachytherapy: This is the most common type of brachytherapy for women with breast cancer. A device is put into the space left from BCS and is left there until treatment is complete. There are several different devices available, most of which require surgical training for proper placement. They all go into the breast as a small catheter (tube). The end of the device inside the breast is then expanded like a balloon so that it stays securely in place for the entire treatment. The other end of the catheter sticks out of the breast. For each treatment, one or more sources of radiation (often pellets) are placed down through the tube and into the device for a short time and then removed. Treatments are typically given twice a day for 5 days as an outpatient. After the last treatment, the device is deflated and removed.
What are the side effects of radiation on breast?
The main short-term side effects of external beam radiation therapy to the breast are: Swelling in the breast. Skin changes in the treated area similar to a sunburn (redness, skin peeling, darkening of the skin) Fatigue.
What is intraoperative radiation therapy?
Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT): In this approach, a single large dose of radiation is given to the area where the tumor was removed (tumor bed) in the operating room right after BCS (before the breast incision is closed). IORT requires special equipment and is not widely available.
How long does it take for breast cancer to go away?
Changes to the breast tissue usually go away in 6 to 12 months, but it can take longer. External beam radiation therapy can also cause side effects later on: Some women may find that radiation therapy causes the breast to become smaller and firmer. Radiation may affect your options for breast reconstruction later on.
What is BCS after breast surgery?
After breast-conserving surgery (BCS), to help lower the chance that the cancer will come back in the same breast or nearby lymph nodes.
What type of radiation is used for breast cancer?
Two common types of radiation treatment for breast cancer are external beam radiation and internal beam radiation , also known as brachytherapy, which typically has fewer side effects. The type of radiation that’s best suited for you depends on: Talk with your doctor about your treatment options.
How is breast cancer treated?
Breast cancer can be treated in a variety of ways, including with radiation therapy.
What is the name of the treatment for breast cancer?
This type of radiation is also known as brachytherapy . In brachytherapy , a device with radioactive seeds or pellets is temporarily put into your breast tissue where the tumor was located. For breast cancer, brachytherapy is often given through one or more small tubes or catheters.
How does a breast cancer machine work?
With this method, a large machine sends beams of radiation to the area of your breast that’s been affected by cancer. The beams are aimed directly at the site of your tumor. While the machine moves around you, it can send radiation to your tumor from different directions.
What is external beam radiation?
With external beam radiation, a machine directs high energy beams of radiation at the area where the cancer cells have been found.
How long does radiation therapy last?
With breast cancer, radiation therapy usually begins about 3 to 4 weeks after breast-conserving therapy or a mastectomy, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. External beam radiation is typically given once a day, 5 days a week, for anywhere from 2 to 10 weeks on an outpatient basis.
What is the catheter used for breast radiation?
Most internal radiation, or brachytherapy, is given with a catheter. This is a small, flexible tube that’s surgically placed into the space left from breast-conserving surgery. At the end of the catheter is a device that can be inflated inside your breast so that it stays in place for the duration of the treatment.
How do coworkers react to cancer?
Some of your co-workers may react to your cancer diagnosis and absences with understanding and offers to help. Others may feel uncomfortable around you. Some people may be reminded of a loved one’s time with cancer. Some co-workers may resent that they had to take on extra duties on days that you need to be off. Others may ask intrusive questions about your health and treatment, or they might avoid you. For more on how to deal with those around you, you may want to read Telling Others About Your Cancer. It also helps to think ahead about how you will handle other people’s reactions, and have a plan for what and how much you want to share.
How to talk to your boss about cancer?
If you do decide to talk about your cancer, have a meeting with your supervisor and explain you want to continue to work while you are getting treatment. Be honest about your treatment and the hours away from work it may require. But remember, your situation might change and you can only make estimations at this time. Still, if you tell your supervisor and co-workers, you can work together to set realistic expectations. Keep in mind that what you tell your boss is confidential information – it will not be shared unless you say it is ok to do so.
How to contact the Job Accommodation Network?
To find out more about job accommodations and employment of people with limitations, contact the Job Accommodation Network at 1-800-526-7234. They can talk with you about the requirements of the ADA or the Rehabilitation Act, if either one applies to you.
How to keep notes of your work?
Keep notes of your contacts with office personnel, including the names of the people you spoke to, the date and place you spoke, and the information you received. It’s also a good idea to keep copies of your job performance evaluations and any other written information about your work. These can be very helpful if problems come up later.
Can you be fired for cancer?
Hiring, promotion, and how you are treated in the workplace should depend entirely on your abilities and qualifications. As long as you are able to fulfill your job duties, you can’t legally be fired for being sick. You also shouldn’t have to accept a position you never would have considered before your illness.
Can you put off short term disability?
Keep in mind that it might be a disadvantage to put off going on short-term disability. Some people have had to go to great lengths to prove that they can’t do their job after they’ve spent weeks forcing themselves to go to work. Don’t wait until your work performance suffers before you decide to take time away from work. Always keep your supervisor updated and talk with your health care provider to make the best decision for yourself.
Do employers have to lower standards for cancer patients?
Employers are not required to lower standards in order to accommodate an employee, nor must they provide personal-use items like glasses or hearing aids. But an employer must accommodate a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the employer can show doing so would be an undue hardship. Examples of reasonable accommodations for cancer patients may include, but are not limited to:
How long after radiation can you dye your hair?
But if you’re having radiation to the head and neck area and experience hair loss, it’s best to wait a few months after your hair has grown back. Like the effects of chemotherapy, hair follicles and new hair are more delicate and prone to breakage.
Can you use birth control during radiation?
Yes, in many cases. It depends on the location of the radiation treatment and your general overall health. Cancer and cancer treatment can affect your self-image, emotional state, physical abilities and sexual interest . Keep in mind that you must use some type of birth control during radiation if you’re of childbearing age.
Can radiation patients get massages?
Talk to your doctor about whether it’s OK to get a massage. And, if your doctor says it’s OK, be sure to get a massage from someone who specializes in working with cancer patients. MD Anderson’s Integrative Medicine Center provides massages for eligible patients.
Can you work during radiation?
Many patients are able to work during their radiation treatment. Sometimes patients work during the first few weeks of treatment but need to take time off near the end due to side effects. It usually depends on the site of the body being treated, the type of radiation, the dose of radiation and if chemotherapy is also being administered. ...
Can you drink alcohol while on radiation?
In general, we recommend you limit alcohol intake during cancer treatment of any kind before, during and after cancer treatment. If you’re undergoing radiation to your head, neck, throat, esophagus or stomach, we ask that you abstain from alcohol since it can cause irritation and be physically uncomfortable.
Can you use sunscreen to protect yourself from radiation?
Yes, but cover the area that is being treated with radiation. Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and wear special sun-protective clothing, including a hat, for others areas exposed to direct sunlight.
Can you take more than one multivitamin during radiation?
But typically, a single daily multivitamin during radiation therapy is fine. However, you shouldn’t take more than the recommended daily allowance. Pamela J. Schlembach is professor of Radiation Oncology at MD Anderson in The Woodlands. Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling 1-877-632-6789.
When will breast cancer be diagnosed in 2021?
on June 29, 2021. When you're facing a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, it's hard to know how to approach things at work. Knowing what to say, what kind of accommodations to ask for, and how to take medical leave can all be important for your treatment and recovery. 1.
How many weeks can you take FMLA?
In addition, employers who have fewer than 50 employees do not have to follow FMLA regulations. If protected by the FMLA, you can to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave from work. The act allows employees with serious medical illness, such as breast cancer, to use their leave "intermittently.".
How many hours do you need to work to qualify for FMLA?
However, not everyone qualifies for FMLA protection. To qualify, you must have: 7 . Worked for the employer for at least 12 months prior to the FMLA request. Worked more than 1,250 hours in that calendar year.
Does ADA cover breast cancer?
Under the ADA, cancer qualifies on a case-by-case basis. The act protects individuals from losing their jobs due to disability and sets guidelines for employers regarding required accommodations. 4 The U.S. EEOC, which enforces the ADA, offers the following example of a woman with breast cancer who would qualify for job protection under the act.
Does breast cancer qualify for ADA?
Under the ADA, cancer qualifies on a case-by-case basis. The act protects individuals from losing their jobs due to disability and sets guidelines for employers regarding required accommodations. 4 The U.S. EEOC, which enforces the ADA, offers the following example of a woman with breast cancer who would qualify for job protection under the act.
Can coworkers help with breast cancer?
Talking to colleagues about a cancer diagnosis isn't a necessity; however, co-workers can be an unexpected source of support. It's not uncommon for colleagues to provide needed support for those with breast cancer. This support may include personal assistance on the job, donated vacation days, or even a fundraising campaign.
Can you talk to your boss about breast cancer?
First, don't rush it. There is no reason to talk to the boss or colleagues so soon after receiving the news. Wait until it feels as comfortable as possible.
What happens before radiation therapy treatment?
Each treatment plan is created to meet a patient's individual needs, but there are some general steps. You can expect these steps before beginning treatment:
How long does radiation therapy last?
It is the most common radiation therapy treatment for cancer. Each session is quick, lasting about 15 minutes. Radiation does not hurt, sting, or burn when it enters the body.
What is the role of a dosimetrist in radiation?
Dosimetrist. The dosimetrist helps your radiation oncologist calculate the right dose of radiation.
What type of doctor is responsible for radiation therapy?
Radiation oncologist. This type of doctor specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat cancer. A radiation oncologist oversees radiation therapy treatments. They work closely with other team members to develop the treatment plan. Radiation oncology nurse.
What is radiation oncology nurse?
Radiation oncology nurse. This nurse specializes in caring for people receiving radiation therapy. A radiation oncology nurse plays many roles, including:
Why is it important to be in the same position for radiation?
It is important for your body to be in the same position for each treatment. Your radiation oncology team cares about your comfort. Talk with the team to find a comfortable position that you can be in every time you come in for radiation therapy.
How often should you check for radiation?
During your treatment, your radiation oncologist will check how well it is working. Typically, this will happen at least once a week. If needed, they may adjust your treatment plan.
