Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer Patients

Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer Patients

Breast cancer is perhaps the most rampant cancer type in the American population (CDC, 2017). The National Breast Cancer Foundation Report (2016) revealed that at least1 woman in the US is diagnosed with cancer every two minutes. One woman succumbs to breast cancer every thirteen minutes. Radiation therapy is the most common modality in treating cancer and is sometimes coupled with chemotherapy (Leventhal & Young, 2017). At least 50% of cancer patients receive radiation therapy. Radiation dermatitis refers to adverse skin reactions resulting from direct exposure radiotherapy. Radiation dermatitis is common among patients receiving radiotherapy in that up to 95% of these patients experience radio-dermatitis (Hegedus, Mathew, & Schwartz, 2017). The skin reactions are often problematic in breast cancer patients since the skin forms the bulk of the target cells. The adverse reactions may be acute or chronic, depending on various factors. This paper examines the condition, exploring prevention and treatment measures for radio-dermatitis.Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer Patients

ORDER A PLAGIARISM -FREE PAPER NOW

Clinical Presentation and Recognition of Radio-dermatitis

Acute radio-dermatitis occurs during therapy and often lasts for about three months, while chronic radio-dermatitis can develop up to ten years post-radiotherapy. The condition varies from mild itching and reddening to extremely broken skin, which is a risk factor for other skin infections (Hegedus, Mathew, & Schwartz, 2017). Acute radio-dermatitis often manifests as dryness and peeling of the skin (dry desquamation), skin reddening (erythema), skin thinning and weakening (moist desquamation), skin flaking, and hair loss. On the other hand, chronic radio-dermatitis is characterized by atrophy, fluid retention (edema), necrosis, hyperpigmentation, rash, thickening of the skin, fibrosis, and skin ulcers/blisters. Radiation dermatitis affects the breast cancer patient’s quality of life since the pain can be extreme, and they can find it challenging to put on clothes. Some patients may undergo skin breakdown, which causes skin hemorrhage. More often than not, the damaged skin cells recover their initial condition once the therapy is complete.

Clinical Problems Surrounding the Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis

The Need for More Research on Preventive Products

Although radiation dermatitis dates as far back as radiotherapy, the prevention and management of the condition pose a challenge to the medical fraternity. Research has been unable to find evidence-based approaches towards preventing and managing radio-dermatitis. Lack of research on useful products in the prevention of the condition hinders progress, thus prompting clinicians into prescribing interventions based on clinical experience rather than research (Hegedus, Mathew, & Schwartz, 2017). Also, research is yet to establish the efficacy of some products in preventing radio-dermatitis, thus posing a drawback in medicine (Bauer eta l., 2015). The condition is often linked to high doses of high wave-length rays and prolonged treatment periods. The inability to find effective solutions for radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients often leads to the interruption of therapy or reduction of dosage to manage radiation dermatitis (Hegedus, Mathew, & Schwartz, 2017). Thus, this step slows down the recovery rate, thus lowering the quality of life for breast cancer patients.Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer Patients

Resources

Various substances are being explored towards curbing the development of radiation dermatitis, including topical applications such as corticosteroids, gels, ointments, and aqueous creams, among other applications. Although there is limited evidence on these topical applications’ efficacy, breast cancer patients can attest that the creams, gels, or ointments are safe and soothing. However, the outcomes for the efficacy studies are inconsistent since the reactions from patients from different geographical regions are diverse (Lucas, Lacouture, & Schneider, 2018). Some applications, for instance, the Chinese herbal paste, have illustrated excellence in preventing radio-dermatitis among Chinese populations but demonstrated inconsistencies among different populations such as whites. As such, there is a need for research on the development of population-specific resources, perhaps following genetic makeup to ensure efficacy and efficiency in preventing radiation dermatitis.

Adherence by Patients

Radiation dermatitis is common among breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. The condition affects patients lowering the quality of their lives. Adherence to skincare routines is thus important during therapy. While there are tons of studies on radiation dermatitis and its impacts on patients, little research has been done to promote patient adherence to skin care during radiotherapy. Bauer et al. (2015) explore an efficient mechanism for optimizing adherence to skincare practices for radiotherapy patients. Studies emphasize that patient education is important in promoting adherence to skincare practices. Informed patients are more likely to seek and adhere to intervention compared to their ignorant counterparts. Besides knowledge, other factors that influence adherence to skin care practices among patients receiving radiotherapy include heterogeneous health systems and socio-economic factors such as illiteracy and poverty.

ORDER A PLAGIARISM -FREE PAPER NOW

Conclusion

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer ailing the US population. Radiotherapy is a standard treatment method for cancer patients, including those who have breast cancer. Patients undergoing radiotherapy are bound to suffer from acute or chronic skin reactions referred to as radio-dermatitis. The condition manifests as skin reddening, drying, flaking, breaking, and in extreme cases, bleeding. Radiation dermatitis increases the risk of skin infections besides presenting chances of discontinuing radiotherapy or reducing the dosage. As such, the condition slows the rate of healing from breast cancer. There are significant gaps in research regarding useful products and inconsistencies among different populations. Adherence to prevention and management is also affected by various factors, including knowledge or lack thereof, illiteracy, poverty, and heterogeneous health systems.Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer Patients

References

Carole Bauer, M. S. N., Pamela Laszewski, B. S. N., & Morris Magnan, PhD, R. N. (2015). Promoting adherence to skin care practices among patients receiving radiation therapy. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 19(2), 196.

CDC. (2017). CDC –  Breast Cancer Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics/index.htm

Hegedus, F., Mathew, L. M., & Schwartz, R. A. (2017). Radiation dermatitis: an overview. International journal of dermatology, 56(9), 909-914.

Kole, A., Kole, L., & Moran, M. (2017). Acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients: Challenges and solutions. Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press), 9, 313-323. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5426474/#b76-bctt-9-313

Leventhal, J., & Young, M. R. (2017). Radiation dermatitis: recognition, prevention, and management. Oncology, 31(12).

Lucas, A. S., Lacouture, M., & Schneider, S. M. (2018). Radiation Dermatitis: A prevention protocol for patients with breast cancer. Clinical journal of oncology nursing, 22(4).

The National Breast Cancer Foundation Report (2016). Retrieved from https://nbcf.org.au/2017-annual-report/

Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer Patients