What's New?
.	HPS and CRCPD Proclaim 8-14 November 2009 as National Radiation Protection Professionals Week
.	November Newsletter
.	NRC Academic Program Nuclear Education Grants, FY2010, Now Accepting Applications
.	November ORS
.	November Journal
.	EPA's STAR Graduate and GRO Undergraduate Fellowship Funding Now Accepting Applications

Upcoming Events
.	2010 HPS Midyear Topical Meeting Radiation Risk Communication to the Public 24-27 January 2010 Albuquerque, NM
.	2010 HPS Professional Development School Radiation Risk Communication: Issues and Solutions 27-29 January 2010 Albuquerque, NM

07 November 2009

Answer to Question #2516 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radiation Effects — Effects on Tissues and Organs

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

My mother had 33 radiation treatments for breast cancer. The treatments ended in December 2001. From that time on she has had a flushing feeling and turns bright red from the breast and up through her face about every three or four days. The next day, after the flushing and redness subsides, her skin begins to peel. She feels like she is on fire and has difficulty sleeping. Would you share your advice on this?

Members of the Health Physics Society are basic scientists, not physicians. We are not qualified to provide medical advice. You should consult the radiation oncologist who treated your mother for specific information. Radiation in large doses, as in treatment of cancer, does cause redness of the skin, loosely resembling sunburn. This usually starts after a few days of treatment of the breast and clears up promptly after treatment is finished. However, the skin may be left with a brownish discoloration and may be dry and scaly.

S. Julian Gibbs, DDS, PhD

Answer posted on 9 April 2003. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.