Radiation & showers

[lizm100]

Hello everyone-

I need input, recently finished radiation therapy and was trying to find a "natural" sunscreen instead of a regular chemical one. During my search, I discovered that many sunscreens contain Titanium Dioxide which is used to block the UVA/UVB rays from the sun. I also learned that most regular soaps contain Titanium Dioxide such as Dove etc. While doing radiation, I was instructed to use Dove soap. Also, I was told not to use any deodorant on my treatment side so I always took a shower 1-2 hours before my radiation therapy.

Now I'm worried...if the Titanium Dioxide in the Dove soap could have interfered with the effectiveness of radiation? Are the radiation rays used in therapy different from the UVA/UVB the sun gives off? I called the company that makes Dove and the person I spoke with was not very knowledgable, she told me that they used it in the Dove as a colorant but is not sure if has sunscreen properties....she was absolutely no help. I tried to reach my radiation oncologist who I was told was off today....I am going out of my mind with worry!! Any input would be helpfull!!!

Thank you,
Liz

[Becky]

Well - I also used Dove (unscented) as instructed. I am still here almost 4 yrs later.

Also, I believe that the TiO2 washes away as it is soluble in the soap which emulsifies with the water.

I would not be concerned with this. As an ointment, maybe as they don't want ointments of any kind except after the rad treatment.

Rest easy

[Vic]

Hi Liz and Becky,

Just saw this thread as I was going to look up fish oil on this site and I wanted to mention, that while I never had radiation, I, too, use "Dove" sensitive skin unscented beauty bar. My skin is sensitive and seems to react to a lot of things, so I've found that Dove really is a nice, neutral soap.

As for deodorant, I changed immediately, after my breast cancer diagnosis, from the standard white, waxy ones on the market, to "Crystalux, 100% Pure & Natural crystal deodorant spray. It is made of up purified water and natural mineral salts and is manufactured by Sedona Products in Scottsdale, AZ and does no animal testing.

I prefer the spray to the roll-on, and I buy this at my local health food store. So far I haven't been told that I've offended anybody, so it must be working! lol

So, relax and enjoy,

Vicki

[lizm100]

Becky & Vic-

you were both correct and I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I was having a panic attack.. Today, I spoke to my radiation oncologist and he is 100% certain that the amount of titanium dioxide in Dove soap would not lessen the effects of radiation. He said that I would need "atleast a 1" coat of titanium dioxide" to deflect the radiation rays and not to worry.

Vic- I switched to Crystal body deodorant, the solid that you have to wet b/4 applying, it seems to do OK. Now with the heatwave in CT (heat index of 108+), I'll see if it passes the ultimate test of odor control.

Thank you again,

Liz

[abitjaded]

Becky,

We always second guess ourselves, don't we?

Don't know any soap science here, but the titanium dioxide in sun screen is usually in a petrolatum base to get it to stick. It is the same pigment used in white oil paint. Remember the gook lifeguards smeared on their noses?

As Becky said, I'll bet the titanium makes the Dove look white and pure, but washes down the drain. I doubt it was left on your skin unless you looked like Mel Smith in Princess Bride:

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2698942720/nm0809321

Antiperspirant has aluminum salts, which would also be radio opaque.

I was totally paranoid about metals during radiation, too. But used Dove and burned like a lobster. I figure the radiation got there. No local reoccurence for two years and counting.

Deodorant wise, aluminum zirconium tricholoro hydrex and the ilk are in standard anti-perspirants. Crystal seems to be dry Aluminum sulfate.

Tried to just cut and paste here, no dice, but look three quarters down the page for BC info.

http://www.answers.com/topic/aluminium?cat=technology

The author is Darbe, P. D.

here are links to her abstracts on medline:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&cmd=search&term=Darbre+pd

But search the internet first. Use
"Darbre Phillipa estrogen" and you will see plenty of rebuttal. There was one lage study by Fred Hutchison Center that found no link at all. Dr. Darby evidently does not cite this study.

Carla

[CLTann]

Titanium dioxide is very insoluble in water. It is a pigment, white and opaque. Therefore, there is no way it can stick to your skin after washing and rinsing. Besides, the amount of TiO2 is so small in the soap that you cannot even find it. Don't worry about it. I am a very qualified inventor in paint and coating.

[SoCalGal]

I've been using Dove all my life. DOVE...it's one quarter cleansing cream. Sometimes I use the white and sometimes the pink and sometimes I mush the two together when it's the left-over slivers.
BTW - now I'm 50. Also - I've had radiation twice and never follow anyone's guidelines (big surprise). If the radiation cannot pass through a soapy residue we are all sunk...it has to pass through our skin and some other inside goopy stuff. You can probably tell that I was a biology major.
:)
Flori

[lizm100]

Thank you Carla, Ann, Flori-

I get neurotic about some things and panic; many times needlessly. Yes, it appears titanium dioxide is very soluable in water. Just out of couriousity, I checked my baby's Bert Bee's sunscreen which also contains titanium dioxide as the active ingredient and it's not even water proof or sweat proof which re-affirms how soluable it must be in water. So I would think that the amount in Dove, as some of you said, would be a tiny about for it's white color.

Logically thinking Radiation oncologists would not recommend using Dove during radiation, if there was a chance of that it would have adverse affects. Anyone I spoke to who did radiation presently and/or many years ago was told to use Dove and many got burned while using it during radiation. I need to remind myself of that.

Thank you all,

(((Hugs)))
Liz