Saturday, January 4, 2014

LUMPECTOMY - THE SEQUEL . . . What those X-rays are for

A specialist privately answered my question about the reason for a weekly X-ray before my radiation treatment:  the breast is not always the same size, especially if it swelled after surgery or during treatment, and is no longer swollen, or for various other reasons.  {I've noticed week-to-week size changes myself through the years by the way a bra fits} These X-rays, called port films, let the radiologist decide if the marks on us are still located at the exact spot that needs radiation.  If the marks are no longer accurate, they can be replaced.

This comforted and reassured me. for two reasons:  she mentioned that the amount of radiation in the films is very small.  And, the fact they take them makes it clear that the radiation really is aimed as accurately as I've been told.  This protects other areas as much as possible, including my lungs.

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