Radiation for Breast Cancer Case

[Hae Uk Hong]

I have a client who has breast cancer and underwent surgery, chemotherapy and has two more weeks to finish her radiotherapy. Generally, she is doing quite well considering her circumstances except for an increasing skin inflammation over her right breast due to radio therapy. The whole breast is red, hot and mildly itchy. She is using cortisone cream to keep it from getting worse. Any suggestions that could help her angry skin condition?Pulse: wiry and fast; R pulse more superficial than L pulse; both cun deep.

[collincampbell]

Since treating my own eczema was one of the reasons that got me studying Chinese medicine and as I had it as a baby, I’ll offer my favourite formula up as well. DGSNT could be a potential. I used to noticeablely sweat less than most of my Kung Fu students, but this last few months after regular dosing of DGSNT, I’ve definitely sweated a lot more than normal and my skin is better than normal. And it was one of the formulas that helped my eczema the most. Even though I have a big left guan, the hollowness of it can still point to DG potentially. Also reacting to heat and cold like you mentioned makes me think of Arnaud’s description of Jueyin, and hence DGSNT treats JYin.

[markgearing]

Ultimately radiotherapy will damage the blood layer and also put a lot of heat in the fluid layer from my experience. But first you need to go through the stages. WBLXS – post surgery has GC 24, YCH 24, Sang Bai Pi 24 which all will clear a lot of redness and inflamation in the tissues. You could also increase Huang Qin from 6-9g to address Shaoyang (breast area) and triple warmer heat and congestion. This is a good first step post surgery. Then, you will need to harmonize (treat yang before treating yin). You mentioned the Right side is bigger, but is this the R guan? What about the other pulse positions? Left guan level? Left cun any slipperiness? If the R guan is bigger and the pulse is long on the left, or guan and chi are wiry and both wiry and level, you could go through a GCXXT, which can take heat and inflammation out of the tissues . I have seen a GCXXT pattern with chemo before in my clinic. The other option is a CH method. If there is no nausea, and the guan is big: CHGZGJT is an option. If there is nausea : XCHT -DZ plus ML may be an option. Here you could also think about adding the BS and MDP mod either during the period or after some of the heat is gone. This way you’re beginning to address the blood layer…Once the pulse changes, follow up with: HQJZT or DGJZT to nourish the blood and regenerate the tissues …But go through the stages first.

[markgearing]

BTT: that’s a cool idea Collin. Have you used this before in radiotherapy ? I’ve not had the chance.

[collincampbell]

2 weeks later – I did TXS+GCGJT+WWZ & FL24 – pulse changed alot, but symptoms not alot of difference. First 3 days of the herbs the sleep was better, but then back to the same. The cough at night–> poor sleep is the M/C. She is now off antibiotics and has been on prednisolone for past 5 days. Pulse now: both sides alot deeper, less forceful. No big leathery feeling like before. L: R/U, H&K not comm, 1. deep tight, 2. deep/bottom of mid, thin-wiry, 3. deeper. R: R/U, 1. tight wiry mid, 2. big-tight, 3. deep. Should I keep her on the same formula? Can the WWZ be increased (it’s at 12g now) to stop the cough at night?

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