Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in women within the EU region and the picture is the same when you look at the prevalence of this form of cancer in Austria. It is estimated that one in 11 women in the EU will develop breast cancer before they reach the age of 74.

This means that it is reasonably likely that you will know someone who has received a breast cancer diagnosis, either in Austria or elsewhere in the EU.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be scary. However, it’s important to note that with the right treatment plan, you can beat breast cancer. In fact, the avoidable mortality rate for breast cancer in Austria is nine per cent below the EU average.

Avoidable mortality means deaths as a result of conditions that could be prevented or treated. Having a low avoidable mortality rate is therefore positive, because it shows more women are receiving the treatment they need to survive the disease.

What are the treatment options for breast cancer?

The most appropriate treatment for breast cancer will depend on the size and location of the tumour. For some women, this could mean having a lump surgically removed from the breast. This is called a lumpectomy.

For others, it could mean a full mastectomy, where one breast is fully removed, or a double mastectomy where both are removed.

You will need to undergo a detailed diagnostic procedure so that your medical team can fully understand the nature of your tumour and its precise location. Often tools such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) will be used to understand the characteristics of each patient’s cancer.

After breast cancer surgery, radiotherapy is often recommended to reduce the risk of the cancer returning and destroy any remaining cancer cells.

How does breast cancer radiotherapy work?

After you have had surgery, you will usually require breast cancer radiotherapy. Our team uses high-performance treatment planning software, based on data from your MRI and CT scans, as well as your other relevant medical information, to develop the most optimal treatment plan for you.

This treatment plan is completely personalised to your cancer and therefore you can feel confident that the radiotherapy will be targeted in the most efficient way to help you on the road to recovery.

In most cases, external beam radiation will be the most appropriate option for post-surgery treatment. This is a well-known and generally reliable form of radiotherapy that works by directing one or more beams of high-energy X-ray directly at your tumour.

These X-rays damage the structure of the cancer cells, which prevents them from multiplying. We use a medical linear accelerator, commonly known as a LINAC, during our radiotherapy treatments. This piece of equipment can rotate around you during your treatment, which enables us to direct the radiation at your tumour from different angles.

The main benefit of this approach is that it maximises the cancer cells’ exposure to the radiation, while minimising exposure for the healthy cells in the breast and surrounding tissue.

Although the precise number of radiotherapy sessions you’ll require will depend on your specific diagnosis, normally this treatment is administered over the course of multiple sessions that span several weeks.

These breaks in treatment are important as they give the healthy cells time to recover before you receive your next round of radiotherapy.

How can you tell if the radiotherapy is working?

We use a technique called in-vivo monitoring during your course of treatment. This tracks the precise dose and location of the radiation administered as your course of radiotherapy progresses.

As a result, we can adjust your treatment as needed, based on how the tumour responds to the radiotherapy.

How can I prepare for breast cancer radiotherapy?

Make sure you talk to the team at the radiotherapy clinic you’re visiting to understand what will happen during each round of treatment. When you have radiotherapy you will normally be asked to undress in the area that requires treatment.

During the session, you’ll need to stay still to allow the radiographers to precisely target the X-rays. Your radiographers will leave the room during your treatment but will speak to you throughout and may give you simple instructions.

The best way you can prepare for your treatment is to give yourself plenty of time to arrive for your sessions so that you feel as calm as possible. It’s also important to allow yourself to rest when you need to.

One of the most common side effects of radiotherapy is tiredness and weakness, so be kind to yourself and don’t try to do too much.

Following a cancer diagnosis, there will inevitably be a lot of questions about treatment, all of which are important, but not all of which will necessarily relate to a person’s primary care.

Depending on the nature, location and stage of your cancer diagnosis, cancer treatment can vary in terms of completion time from a matter of weeks to months if not years. This means that it can often overlap with festive seasons, anniversaries, birthdays or other important milestones.

This is especially important if you are undergoing care at a specialist radiotherapy centre abroad, because the primary treatment needs to be balanced with as much normality, care and positivity as is possible.

Part of this is a matter of treatment outcomes; whilst research is uncertain about the effects of a positive attitude to cancer treatment, the effects of stress are more documented.

As well as this, your support network is there for you, and one of the biggest and most important ways to show this if they are unable to be at your bedside is through meaningful gifts.

With that in mind, here are some of the best, most practical and most considered presents you can receive during cancer treatment.

Soft, Comfortable Clothes

It is essential to feel as comfortable as possible whilst undergoing cancer treatment, particularly during the winter chill that often accompanies the festive season. This means that warm, breathable, soft fabrics make for perfect gifts that can be personalised.

Socks, slippers and scarves are always needed, but loose-fitting, soft clothing using natural materials such as cashmere is often needed, and full-zip hoodies can be ideal for keeping warm whilst also ensuring that they can be easily taken off for radiotherapy sessions.

Warm, Soft Throw Blanket

Combining warmth and comfort, a soft blanket is a regular companion for many people undergoing cancer treatment. It keeps their body warm and their mind filled with positivity, particularly if it is given to them as a gift from a loved one.

What makes it such an effective gift, besides its practicality, is the scope for personalisation. As long as it is made from a soft enough material to avoid skin irritation, it can be made in any colour and feature any design.

A particularly thoughtful option is a blanket in the colour of a cancer ribbon, or one with messages of hope and positivity to provide a reminder that so many people are in your corner to help you get the best outcome possible from your cancer care.

Audiobooks

Depending on your treatment, there may be points where you are waiting for treatment, waiting for results or are in the treatment room for extended stretches of time.

For those moments, as well as days when cancer fatigue hits harder than usual, it is important to have something easy, yet enjoyable, distracting and easy to pass the time.

One of the most popular options is a book; they are easy to pack, affordable, highly personal and make great gifts irrespective of the reason, but there are times when brain fog, tiredness and muscle fatigue can make reading a physical book less easy.

Instead, buying an audiobook as a digital present can be more practical, as they can put on some headphones and listen to it to pass the time, much like a playlist of music they like or a new album.

Sometimes it will be a particularly tailored choice, but in other cases, a book can be something that has personal significance that can show that they are thinking of you and want to help however they can.

Easy Entertainment

As well as this, board games and card games that are light enough to carry around and can be played without causing too much fatigue can also be really helpful.

Alternatively, a book of puzzles such as crosswords, wordsearches or sudoku can be a lovely gift, or if they prefer playing games on a mobile device, many platforms allow you to make gift purchases that they can redeem.

Ginger And Lemon Treats

Foods, drinks and snacks containing ginger are not gift ideas that typically come to mind, but they can make for remarkably thoughtful presents.

Ginger has historically been used to treat stomach upsets and relieve the effects of nausea, and whilst they obviously cannot replace anti-emetics that have been prescribed for you, they can help provide some relief if you struggle with regular sickness.

Similarly, lemon tea and lemon drops can help if you are suffering from dry mouth, as they encourage the production of saliva.

For many, if not most people who receive a diagnosis, the first few days and weeks leading up to the start of their treatment can be difficult to navigate simply because they are filled with unknowns.

An increasing number of cancer types can be treated, and as both diagnosis and radiotherapy technologies become increasingly sophisticated, these treatments are faster, more effective and put less strain on the body than ever before.

One potential expectation of cancer care is that it is a much more intense treatment than it actually is. Here is what you should know about radiotherapy before your first treatment.

It Does Not Hurt

During the treatment planning stages and consultation with your cancer team, we will describe how radiotherapy works, which involves firing beams of radiation in precise locations in the body to target and destroy cancer cells.

It can sound quite aggressive, but in practice, radiotherapy is a painless treatment. There is typically no noise, no discomfort and no pain whilst the radiotherapy beam does its precise work in targeting cancer cells precisely.

All you need to do is relax in our comfortable clinical environment for a few minutes and the treatment will take full effect.

Our team of radiographers will make sure you are comfortable before treatment, and whilst they will not be in the room during the session, you will still be able to talk to them throughout.

Moisturisation Matters

Cancer treatment radiotherapy can cause side effects which your cancer team will warn you about ahead of time; whilst they can vary from person to person and treatment to treatment, most of them are temporary, can be managed and will generally fade once your treatment is over.

One of the best ways to manage many of the symptoms that come with a course of radiotherapy is moisturisation and taking care of sensitive skin.

Make sure to drink plenty of fluids and use more moisturiser than you would normally, especially if you typically have sensitive skin.

One of the more common effects of radiotherapy is dry skin and red patches, particularly when treating a cancer close to the skin. This will not affect your whole body, but just the areas of the skin where radiation passes through.

Your radiographer will look out for you and can provide expert advice on the right types of creams to use, or use special dressings if there is a particularly strong reaction to the treatment to soothe discomfort.

Try not to irritate the skin, so do not shave, use hair removal creams, avoid using perfume directly on it and avoid using heating or cooling pads directly on the area.

Dress In Loose Layers

Alongside more sensitive skin, two other common effects of radiotherapy treatment for cancer are that you might feel more fatigued after treatment, and because of this, you may also feel a little more sensitive to temperatures.

Because of this, it may be best to dress up in loose-fitting clothes with natural fibres, as well as dressing in layers with scarves, loose blouses and jackets so you can keep warm. Make sure to wear soft, comfy socks as well, as a lot of body heat can escape through your feet.

Your cancer team can give you advice and recommendations on the most comfortable clothes to wear whilst undergoing cancer treatment, which can make a huge difference in making each session more comfortable.

Give Yourself Recovery Time At First

Fatigue affects people being treated with radiotherapy in very different ways, and it is essential to listen and be kind to your body, as there may be days when you leave the clinic full of energy and others when you want to go to bed.

If you have travelled internationally for treatment and hope to explore your locale, make sure to account for breaks and times when the best course of action for your treatment is to recuperate in your hotel room.

As the treatment progresses, you will have a better idea of how your body will feel, but give yourself the space and opportunity to listen to your body.

Do not overcommit when it comes to work or making plans that might require a lot of energy; resting and recuperating are vital parts of the treatment and that should never be underestimated.

You Can Ask For Help With Anything

The primary treatment is radiotherapy, but everything else is a vital part of the healing process, from physiotherapy to mental health.

Everyone in your cancer team, from the nurses to the radiographers, is there to help you with anything and answer any questions, so if you have any concerns, thoughts or queries, please let one of them know right away.

When someone receives the news that they have tested positive for cancer, it can feel like everything has changed long before the first adjustments are made to incorporate cancer treatment wherever and however they choose to have it.

Radiotherapy at Amethyst Austria is, of course, entirely distinct because of our service provision, which includes precision technology, short treatment times and significant support for international patients.

However, we believe in the fundamental importance of a holistic approach to cancer care. Everything from nutrition and physical therapy to mental health care are all vital elements that will aid in recovery during and after cancer treatment, and the makeup of our multidisciplinary teams accounts for this.

From the moment you get your diagnosis until the transition to long-term aftercare, there are several adjustments that you may need to make and decisions to consider when it comes to your care, work and other commitments.

With that in mind, here are some strategies that you can employ that can help you adjust to cancer treatment whilst it is your new normal.

Be Open And Encourage Openness In Others

There is a remarkably common temptation to act somewhat stoically and suppress some of the very normal emotions that surround a cancer diagnosis.

The healthiest approach is to be honest with your cancer team, your friends, family, loved ones and anyone you expect to be in regular contact with during the treatment, such as your employer or work colleagues.

Everyone has their own ways of managing their emotions, and part of the treatment process is finding the healthiest and most comfortable form of expression for you, but the most important step to this is to say how you feel and what would help people to help you.

Get As Much Useful Information As You Can

Your cancer team will be happy to answer any questions with as much detail as they can or as little detail as you want, because you are at the centre of the decision-making process when it comes to your treatment.

Some people want the complete picture, including details on the type of cancer, treatment options, the focus of treatment and what to expect during it, as well as how this may affect one’s quality of life.

In other cases, however, people would find that the facts and details beyond the basic information surrounding their condition would not be helpful, and they are more comfortable deferring to specialists with regard to the details of treatment.

In either case, your cancer team will help you by providing as much detail as they can about what this means for your treatment.

Try To Maintain Your Lifestyle But Prepare For Changes

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to cancer care, and everyone responds to treatment in different ways.

Some people, even when they travel internationally for cancer treatment, can maintain a relatively similar lifestyle to the one they had at home, particularly if they have the equipment and the ability to work remotely.

In some cases, the only change to their lives will be that every few days they have a half-hour appointment to receive radiotherapy and spend the rest of their time living their life normally.

Maintaining an exercise routine and a healthy diet can help with mood and energy levels a lot, as can maintaining your social life when it is possible to do so.

At the same time, there will be points where maintaining your usual routine can be trickier, and it is okay to say no, cancel plans and focus on your own wellbeing.

Let Your Friends And Family Help

Your friends and family will always be there for you and will be more than happy to help you out wherever they can.

Sometimes it can be difficult doing all of the household tasks that make up each day, including cooking, cleaning, shopping and travelling to appointments. Having friends, family and loved ones to help can make your life easier when you need it most.

Even if you are receiving treatment internationally, our clinic will offer services to help ensure that family and friends can be by your side so they can remain close whilst you are treated in Vienna.

Consider Joining A Support Group

The people close to you will help however they can, but unless they have had cancer themselves or know someone who has gone through the treatment process, they might not be able to completely understand how you are feeling or what you should expect.

There are a lot of support groups, both online and offline, that can help answer questions about treatment that your cancer team, friends and family might struggle with.

A support group can also help provide affirmation and ways to adjust to the routine of cancer care.

The treatment potential of radiotherapy for a wide range of benign conditions has, for many years, long been underrecognised.

Whilst it is one of the three first-line treatments for cancer alongside chemotherapy and conventional surgery, radiotherapy can be used to treat a wide variety of benign conditions, including those that cause chronic pain, hormone imbalances and conditions that are more cosmetic in nature.

An unusual condition that radiotherapy can help with when required is hemangioma, a benign growth of blood vessels sometimes known as strawberry birthmarks because of their vivid appearance.

Sometimes they go away on their own or never need treatment, but in other cases, they can start to cause issues beyond simply how they look.

To understand the difference, it is important to understand what hemangiomas are, what causes them and when they need a visit to a radiotherapy centre to fix them.

What Is A Hemangioma?

Hemangiomas are a bright red benign noncancerous growth that grows due to the abnormal development of blood vessels.

Often confused with other types of birthmarks, they are the most common type of tumour or growth in children, and tend to appear on the skin or the subcutaneous layer just underneath the skin, although internal hemangiomas of the liver, intestines, brain and lungs are not uncommon.

Unlike similar blood vessel abnormalities such as varicose veins, it is not entirely clear as to why they develop, although some theories posit that certain proteins produced during gestation by placental cells can cause blood vessel growth, but more evidence is needed to prove a causal link.

Alternatively, hemangiomas can appear later in life in a form most commonly known as cherry angiomas. They are usually much smaller, with even the largest being less than a centimetre in diameter, and tend to appear more commonly in middle age.

How Common Are They?

Hemangioma appear in one in every 20 births, making them more common, but because they vary so much in terms of effects, some of these five per cent of cases are not immediately noticed and may never be noticed.

Whilst the most visible are those that appear on the skin, typically on the face or the top of the head, a lot also form on various internal organs without causing any effects.

According to some studies, there is an increased risk of them forming if a family member has had them, if a baby was born prematurely, if they weighed less than 2 pounds at birth, or if they are female and are white.

How Are They Diagnosed?

Typically, they are diagnosed on sight. They are relatively common in newborn children and have a characteristic enough look to be readily diagnosed as a hemangioma.

However, a biopsy, ultrasound, CT or MRI scan can alternatively be used to confirm a hemangioma if it is deep enough in the body that it cannot be diagnosed by sight, or there needs to be additional tests to rule out other possible conditions.

When Do They Need Treating?

Typically, hemangiomas do not need to be treated at all. If they form at birth, they will tend to fade within the first five years of a child’s life, and almost all of them will disappear within ten years.

They are typically not painful, do not affect any bodily functions and in some cases are not even noticeable. Even in some cases where they appear on the skin, they tend to fade quickly and are not always noticeable.

However, if a hemangioma grows in a place that is more cosmetically important, it can still be distressing, and whilst treatment is not medically necessary, it can still be very important, especially if they do not go away.

In other cases, a hemangioma can be potentially harmful or even dangerous. This is usually the case if they change colour from the strawberry red that they initially appear, burst and start bleeding, get infected, or develop near the throat, eyes, mouth or chin, as this can cause more long-term issues.

As well as this, if they infect the liver or a digestive organ, it can cause stomach aches, vomiting, nausea or a loss of appetite consistent with other liver disease, and at that point they may need to be treated.

How Can Radiotherapy Help?

Radiotherapy has a long and consistent tradition of helping with skin conditions and a dose targets abnormal blood vessels to reduce the size and appearance of the hemangioma over time.

Alternatively, beta blockers can be used to help treat hemangiomas in both oral and topical form, as can topical corticosteroids. Conventional surgery can also be used as a last resort.