Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy Care

Key Points

• Radiation is commonly delivered after breast-conserving surgery or selected mastectomy pathways to reduce recurrence risk.
• Typical external-beam schedules in this source are 5 days per week for 6-7 weeks, with APBI used in selected plans.
• Nursing priorities are education, symptom monitoring, radiation safety, and ongoing psychosocial support.

Equipment

• Radiation-treatment scheduling and follow-up checklist
• Skin-care supplies and comfort materials for irradiated tissue
• Monitoring tools for pain, fatigue, edema, and functional changes
• Protective and safety resources required by institutional radiation policy

Procedure Steps

1. Review treatment plan type (external beam or brachytherapy) and expected timeline with the patient.
2. Provide pre-treatment education on goals, schedule frequency, and expected side effects.
3. Assess baseline symptoms and breast/axillary status before therapy begins.
4. During treatment course, monitor for early effects such as fatigue, swelling, heaviness, and sunburn-like skin changes.
5. Reinforce skin-protection and comfort measures after each treatment session.
6. For brachytherapy pathways, monitor catheter or device sites, perform ordered dressing care, and use sterile technique.
7. Teach outpatient/home management steps for device care when applicable.
8. Assess for delayed risks, including lymphedema, brachial plexus symptoms, and functional decline.
9. Escalate concerning findings promptly and coordinate supportive medications/interventions.
10. Document response trends and reinforce return precautions throughout treatment.

Common Errors

• Inadequate side-effect education → delayed reporting and worsening symptom burden.
• Poor skin and site monitoring → avoidable treatment interruptions and infection risk.
• Missed lymphedema or neurologic red flags → delayed rehabilitation and reduced function.
• Weak coordination across visits → inconsistent symptom control and patient distress.

Related

• breast-cancer-care - Overall treatment planning and survivorship context for radiation pathways.
• post-mastectomy-care - Integrates postoperative recovery with subsequent adjuvant radiation planning.