Testing Treatment for Breast Cancer

In patients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer, radiation-induced skin toxicities are a common occurrence and adversely impact patients' quality of life (QOL). In the last decade, there have been no significant advances in preventing or treating radiation-induced skin toxicities. Recently, a phase III randomized trial by Herst et al. (n=78) in New Zealand showed that the prophylactic use of Mepitel Film reduced skin reaction severity by 92% compared to skin treated only with aqueous cream. Mepitel film has not been widely adopted in North America. To validate the efficacy of the film and guide the development of a larger multi-centre phase II study, a pilot study testing the efficacy of the film is proposed. In the study, 30 patients will have the film applied on their breast for the duration of radiation treatment and their skin reactions will be assessed throughout the treatment and after the treatment. The investigators hypothesize that the severity and incidence rates of skin reactions for patients using Mepitel film will be lower when compared to real world data from our centre, and that cosmetic outcomes will be improved with the film.