Let's Talk About Radiation Therapy - Radiation and Hot Flashes

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Radiation and Hot Flashes

Printed From: TNBC Foundation
Category: TNBC Forums
Forum Name: Let's Talk About Radiation Therapy
Forum Description: A place to discuss Radiation Therapy
URL: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=11358
Printed Date: Mar 26 2026 at 5:09pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Radiation and Hot Flashes

Posted By: weekender09
Subject: Radiation and Hot Flashes
Date Posted: Jul 24 2013 at 10:46pm

Had to have the full Bilateral and the Oopherectomy. If the Chemo didn't bring the hot flashes on bad enough the ovary removal sure did. Will Radiation bring on more hot flashes like the sun and heat do? I'm trying to see if I should consider a low dose estrogen supplement. Thanks.

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02/12/13 DX TNBC, Grade III, Stage 3, 3.3cm tumor, IMN and 1 lymph Positive, Chemo A/C T complete 6/13
BRCA1-/BRCA2+ Variance, BIL 7/13, 33 RADS complete 10/13 Remssion :)

Replies:

Posted By: JulieKCA2013
Date Posted: Jul 26 2013 at 12:09pm

Barb will they let you do an estrogen supplement? I have been on estrogen form of birth control since 19. I asked if they will ever allow me to go back on it and my doctor said no. Sorry to hear about the hot flashes, I am still in pseudo menopause from chemo and getting the night sweats.

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Dx 3-7-13 TNBC, 5cm pT2N1M0
3-19-13 ACx4, 5-14-13 Taxolx4
7-17-13 BMX ypT1N2M0(.9mm) 4/24 nodes.
10-8-13 completed Rads x 30
12-3-13 completed Eribulin Trial
10-18-13, 3-19-14 Bone/Ct Scan Clear

Posted By: TriplePositiveGirl
Date Posted: Jul 26 2013 at 2:25pm

Hey Barb,

I am on a low low dose of estrogen in the form of a vaginal cream. My doctor didn't seem to be too worried about the effects of the estrogen being a triple negative patient. It is a low dose. I use it when i need it. I think what you are wanting would be in supplement form. Have you considered any holistic approaches - or herbal supplements?

Lisa

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Diagnosed Jan 2010; Stage IIa, grade 2, 3.2cm in rt. breast, no nodes and BRCA-. 4 cycles Carbo/Gemzar 3/10; Lump 6/10; 2 cycles carbo/gem after surgery 8/10; 35 Rads finished 12/1/10. NED.

Posted By: weekender09
Date Posted: Jul 26 2013 at 8:41pm

Julie:

With Triple Negative the OB/GYN says she could pump me full of all the estrogen I could get as TN is not Estrogen Receptive.

Lisa:

Does the cream help with hot flashes? Did your radiation increase hot flashes? I am fine with pushing through with the hot flashes but not if radiation is going to bring them on like sun or heat does. :)

Barb

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02/12/13 DX TNBC, Grade III, Stage 3, 3.3cm tumor, IMN and 1 lymph Positive, Chemo A/C T complete 6/13
BRCA1-/BRCA2+ Variance, BIL 7/13, 33 RADS complete 10/13 Remssion :)

Posted By: TriplePositiveGirl
Date Posted: Jul 26 2013 at 8:58pm

Hi Barb,

I personally found that chemo was the main culprit inducing the hot flashes. Radiation did not make it worse for me. I had very mild hot flashes though. With radiation, you will feel warm in the radiated area for sure, rather than hot flashes. Of course, we are all different too. I had cargo/gemzar chemo - I see you had the ACT combo.

I was prescribed the cream for vaginal constriction and dryness, one of the unpleasant side effects that I have been dealing with post treatment. It has helped immensely. Since it is used vaginally, it may not be the right form of estrogen to help control hot flashes.

After treatment was finished for me, I did not have anymore hot flashes. You are young - you might have the same thing too.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Lisa

Posted By: JulieKCA2013
Date Posted: Jul 30 2013 at 12:06am

My oncologist was pretty adamant that I would not be able to get anymore hormone therapy even with my cancer being triple negative. Did you discuss the estrogen supplement with your oncologist?

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Dx 3-7-13 TNBC, 5cm pT2N1M0
3-19-13 ACx4, 5-14-13 Taxolx4
7-17-13 BMX ypT1N2M0(.9mm) 4/24 nodes.
10-8-13 completed Rads x 30
12-3-13 completed Eribulin Trial
10-18-13, 3-19-14 Bone/Ct Scan Clear

Posted By: weekender09
Date Posted: Aug 05 2013 at 10:32am

Julie:

I started Estrogen last week orally. I did discuss with oncologist and they all laugh because they said the only good thing about TN is that you can take estrogen since it doesn't affect the cancer at all. I am down to between 5 and 7 hotflashes a day in only 5 days post first pill. I was having 2 an hour after the ovary removal. Starting to sleep again. Whew.

Barb

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02/12/13 DX TNBC, Grade III, Stage 3, 3.3cm tumor, IMN and 1 lymph Positive, Chemo A/C T complete 6/13
BRCA1-/BRCA2+ Variance, BIL 7/13, 33 RADS complete 10/13 Remssion :)

Posted By: TriplePositiveGirl
Date Posted: Aug 05 2013 at 12:42pm

Barb,

I'm happy to hear the estrogen pills are working. I guess if there is one silver lining to the TNBC, its that hormone therapy still seems to be an option for us. I know from personal experience that the estrogen vaginal cream has made a HUGE difference for me.

Lisa

Posted By: Naveed123
Date Posted: Aug 21 2013 at 3:25am

Will Radiation bring on more hot flashes like the sun and heat do? Angry

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**** NAVEED ****

Posted By: TriplePositiveGirl
Date Posted: Aug 21 2013 at 1:51pm

Hi Naveed,

It depends. Radiation did not bring on hot flashes for me; however the radiated area looks like a sunburn and can itch and be uncomfortable during treatment. Luckily, there are several remedies that work well for treating this. I used Miaderm and Aquafor in liberal amounts on the affected area, several times a day, and had good results.

Best,

Lisa