Do you advise patients to avoid deodorant during breast radiotherapy?

This I believe is oncolore, and it has been around for decades. When I was a resident, I was taught to specifically counsel breast patients not to use deodorant because it could increase skin toxicity, either due to the physical surface coating or due to the metals in most deodorants.

There are 4 ra...

I agree with @Dr. First Last. We have had to re-educate the departmental staff so patients didn't hear conflicting messages. Here's a:

a) Quick summary http://radiationnation.com/breast-cancer/deodorant-during-breast-radiation

b) Nov 14 IJROBP new Australian RCT with 333 patients debunking the deod...

I let them use deodorant until they develop moderate erythema in the axillary fold, then I have them hold off. The vast majority do very well. I agree this falls into the old wives category of radiation oncology, although truth be told, it was most likely created by a bunch of old men.

Even though it is surely an "old wives tale" of radiotherapy, there still seems to be some merit to the idea. Consider the fact that perfumes and other "additives" in such products, particularly the spray form of these products, can be more irritating to skin showing signs of radiodermatitis than to...

An aside to deodorant use, I have found that I've seen a prodigious decline in severe skin toxicity in the axilla after starting to remind my patients to not shave there once they've had their simulation.

@Dr. First Last is right on. Use whatever you want interms of deodorants or anti-perspirants until the axilla shows erythema, then hold off. I would also agree that the therapists are more likely to discuss these issues of hygiene and form with our patients. Lastly, if you haven't reviewed your prin...