For many people impacted by breast or gynecologic cancers, radiation therapy is an important part of treatment–but it can also bring a lot of questions and uncertainty.

What will the side effects actually feel like? Will my skin burn? How tired will I be? How long will recovery take? What should I know before my first appointment?

While your care team will prepare you for the logistics and walk you through the potential side effects, hearing from fellow Breasties who have already been there can make all the difference. 

Their lived experiences can help you feel more prepared and remind you that you’re not navigating it alone. 

The Peak asked members of the breast and gynecologic cancer community what they wish they knew and their tips for fellow community members. From the products that brought comfort to how to advocate for yourself, their advice covers a wide-range of the radiation experience. 

Peak Partnered: This article was developed in partnership with Beecure. The Breasties is proud to partner with BeeCure to expand educational and patient-centered resources about radiation therapy.

1. Radiation Treatments May be ‘Quick’—But Recovery Can Last Longer Than You Think

One of the most common themes Breasties told The Peak was that while radiation appointments are often surprisingly quick and routine, the recovery can be less predictable.

“Radiation is sneaky because there aren’t any immediate noticeable changes and treatments themselves don’t ‘feel’ like anything is happening, but radiation effects compound!” shared Nicole G.

“The radiation itself was easy. It was fast and painless. The effects of radiation came later,” shared Ali K, who completed 16 rounds of radiation following chemotherapy and a bilateral mastectomy. 

Ali noted experiencing burn-like abrasions three weeks after her last radiation treatment and that a CT scan discovered lung pneumonitis three months after treatment. “I don’t have symptoms luckily, but it did pause my chemo because they weren’t sure if it was from radiation or chemo.” 

For Julie G., who underwent radiation for cervical and vaginal cancer, the long-term effects have been especially challenging. 

“I had no idea my life would change so drastically after radiation. Battling small bowel obstructions, unable to eat everything I once was able to, or drink alcohol. It destroyed my GI tract and I feel like I was not appropriately prepared or knew enough to push back on how much of my bowels were in the radiated area.”

At the same time, it’s important to remember that every radiation experience is unique. Some Breasties experienced minimal side effects, while others found recovery more challenging.

“Radiation affects everyone differently,” Elizabeth D. shared, emphasizing that she saw such varied experiences online regarding symptoms and recovery time.

2. Fatigue Can Be Greater than Expected

Fatigue was a common side effect mentioned across the board by Breasties. For some, it developed during treatment and for others, it didn’t peak until radiation ended. Samantha C.W shared, “Prepare to be really, really tired.”

Joanie C. received 25 rounds of radiation in 2023 for stage 1a breast cancer. “I knew tiredness would be a side effect of radiation.  In reality, I experienced a level of exhaustion I have not had before.”

Elizabeth explained that she felt fatigue right away and still experiences it a year later. 

“During treatment week I’d feel okay in the morning and then fatigued to the point of nausea and sweating by the afternoon,” said Elizabeth. “I was exhausted and nauseous and had no energy reserve. I lost confidence that I could get through anything physically taxing.” 

She said she’s still not returned to a place where if she’s tired she can power through. 

📝 Breastie tip: A common piece of advice from the community is to rest, listen to your body, and take lots of naps. 

“Don’t be afraid to rest,” said Kia L., who underwent 33 sessions of proton radiation to her chest wall and regional lymph nodes for stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma. “Healing is part of the treatment too.”

3. Protect Your Skin Before and After

Understandably, burns and irritated skin are a major concern when going through radiation. Many Breasties shared that skincare was important while undergoing radiation, but many shared that they wish they knew how important it was before and after, as well. 

Katie C. was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer in 2023, underwent 28 rounds of radiation, and was especially concerned about burns and the impact of radiation treatment on her skin. 

“I started using Beecure a week before radiation started, so I would put it on every single morning and every single evening on the skin area that I thought was going to be impacted.” 

Katie continued to follow this routine throughout treatment. “I don’t know if it is the reason I didn’t get any burns, but it was kind of an emotional thing… the thing I can do that’s in my control is stay on top of the skincare routine while I go through this,” she said. 

📝 Breastie tip: Using hydrating creams on the impacted area as well as the underarms for those undergoing radiation for breast cancer was a common tip shared by fellow Breasties. 

“The worst burn was under my arm. I guess I didn’t use the creams as much there as I should have and, because I had several lymph nodes removed, I had a lot of numbness in the area and didn’t realize how bad it was getting,” shared Monica S. 

Nicole emphasized the importance of moisturizing and hydrating more than you think you need to and before treatment begins. 

“Moisturize in layers and multiple times a day (just not within a few hours before you go for treatment) AND to a bigger surface area than you would think so you get the entire radiated field,” Nicole advised.

Something that especially surprised Katie was how sensitive her skin remained to the sun long after radiation ended. Although she made it through treatment without burns, she quickly realized that didn’t mean her skin had fully healed.

“I wish someone had told me that for the first year or two after radiation, your skin can be much more sensitive. Now I’m really diligent about protecting that area with clothing or high-SPF sunscreen because it’s been through so much.”

She encourages anyone undergoing radiation to continue caring for their skin even after treatment ends.

4. Gentle Movement and Physical Therapy Can Help 

It might feel counterintuitive to move your body after radiation, especially if you’re dealing with fatigue, soreness, or tightness. But many Breasties shared that gentle movement—when approved by your care team—helped them feel better both during and after treatment.

📝 Breastie tip: Several community members emphasized the value of working with a physical therapist, particularly one with experience treating people impacted by breast or gynecologic cancer.

“I get PT once a month, and I love it,” said Ali. “She gave me stretches that I do every day to keep mobility and help prevent lymphedema, which can show up a year after radiation.” 

“I really wish someone had told me about the fibrosis and that physical therapy was important from the beginning,” Elizabeth shared. “Apparently, it’s hard to reverse, so starting sooner could have made a difference.”

“Don’t push it, but gentle walking, yoga and stretching helps with fatigue,” said Nicole. “For me, radiation triggered cording, which I didn’t realize could happen since I thought I was far enough out from surgery, so just be aware that can happen and get some stretches from a physical therapist.”

5. Side Effects Can Be Outside of the ‘Norm’ 

A common frustration shared amongst Breasties, is unusual side effects that were dismissed by their care teams. 

“I wish the side effects weren’t minimized and dismissed as a ‘You’ll probably fine but these things can happen,’ ” said Julie who shared earlier about radiation destroying her GI tract when treated for gynecologic cancer. 

Elizabeth noted experiencing painful heartburn, which would wake her up at night for months. 

“At my follow-up, they said it was not due to radiation [but] my esophagus was right in the middle of the beam, and I had radiation on both sides.”

While not every symptom is caused by radiation—and experiences vary widely—these stories underscore the importance of listening to your body. 

If something feels different or concerning, don’t hesitate to bring it up with your care team, even if it isn’t considered a “typical” side effect. And if you’re left feeling dismissed or uncertain, know that the Breasties community is here to remind you that you’re not alone.

6. Ask Questions and Advocate for Yourself 

Whether it was pushing for a different approach to treatment, speaking up about a side effect that didn’t feel right, or choosing a care team that made them feel heard, many community members shared that self-advocacy made a meaningful difference in their experience. 

Shoshana encouraged others to prioritize finding a care team they trust:

“At Camp Breastie, I heard so many stories of medical negligence and dismissive medical encounters—it’s terrifying and so utterly unfair,” said Shoshana, who chose her medical team because of the positive experience they provided—despite the long commute to see them.

“Making so many life-dependent medical decisions all at once is exhausting, scary, and overwhelming, but if you have the energy to research a medical practice or find a medical center based on positive reviews and recommendations, it’s worth it.”  

“A caring doctor and staff can make a world of difference when you’re literally fighting for your life,” Shoshana shared.

For Katie, advocacy looked a little different. Rather than accepting every part of treatment as it was presented, she found small ways to reclaim a sense of control during a time that felt anything but.

“When my radiation oncologist mentioned permanent tattoos, I told them no. I ordered temporary henna tattoos, and we worked together to find a different solution,” said Katie. “I also wore my own robe to every appointment. It helped me establish some agency over what was happening to me, and that made it easier to cope.”

7. Emotional Healing is Real 

Radiation isn’t just a physical experience–it can be an emotional one too. While many prepared for skin changes or fatigue, several Breasties shared that they were surprised by the mental and emotional weight of showing up for treatment day after day. 

“For me, it was more of an emotional struggle,” said Katie. “It was heavy emotionally, just because it was just a very apparent thing of going every single day and doing something that I really didn’t want to do.”

Kia shared that acknowledging the emotional side of treatment helped her: 

“I wish I had known that radiation wasn’t just something my body would go through—it was something my mind and emotions would go through too. The daily appointments became a rhythm, and the effects can continue to build even after treatment ends, so give yourself grace.” 

“Most importantly, remember that radiation is something you’re going through—not who you are. One appointment at a time, you’ll get to the other side.”