Radiation therapy will be needed for about 6 weeks. You will need to visit the radiation therapy centre each weekday for usually no more than an hour. If you live outside the cities where radiation therapy is available you will need to travel to the city for treatment. Even if you live in a city where radiation therapy is available, you may still need to travel a considerable distance each day. There may be financial costs involved in travelling for radiation therapy, although some financial and accommodation support might be available.
Some women find it difficult to be away from their family and friends during treatment.
Changes to your appearance Breast conserving treatment will change your appearance less than a mastectomy as a smaller amount of your breast will be removed. Breast conserving treatment aims to keep the look, shape and feel of your breast as much as possible. However, your breast may look different after the operation. It is common for the breast to be slightly smaller and for your nipple to be a bit higher or lower than before. You will have a scar on your breast where the cancer was taken and another scar under your arm where your lymph nodes were taken.