Management of erythema and skin preservation; advice for patients receiving radical radiotherapy to the breast: a systematic review of the literature

Butcher, K. and Williamson, Keren 2012. Management of erythema and skin preservation; advice for patients receiving radical radiotherapy to the breast: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice 11 (1) , pp. 44-54. 10.1017/S1460396910000488

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Abstract

Objective To systematically review and critically appraise all evidence on skin care advice and products tailored for patients receiving radical radiotherapy for breast cancer and to determine an evidence-based conclusion regarding the most effective products. Data Resources and Review Methods Major healthcare databases were searched with additional efforts made to hand-search current journals. All relevant literature fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria was subjected to quality assurance checks. Those that passed underwent a more rigorous appraisal and were included in the review. Results Ten studies were identified as fulfilling the review criteria in regards to aims and quality. All were randomised controlled trials; three were double-blinded, three were single-blinded, the remaining were not blinded. Two addressed washing regimes, two addressed deodorant use, whilst the six remaining studies investigated creams, gels or dressings. Conclusions The results suggest that there is a place for creams in the management and delay of radiation induced skin toxicities, however research fails to highlight one product which is a considerable beneficial over others whilst still being cost effective and free from adverse effects. Patients should not be discouraged from washing with water or mild soaps and results suggest that the restriction of aluminium-free deodorant during treatment is unnecessary, more research in this area is needed with larger sample sizes.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine Healthcare Sciences
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer) R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology R Medicine > RZ Other systems of medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Skin care ; Breast ; Radiation ; Review
Additional Information:	Pdf uploaded in accordance with publisher's policy at http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/issn/1460-3969/ (accessed 25/02/2014).
Publisher:	Cambridge Press
ISSN:	1460-3969
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	08 May 2023 23:43
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/30127

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