The purpose of this research is to study a Chinese herbal Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) product for the temporary relief of pain and itching after radiotherapy (RT). This is an over-the-counter product with 1% menthol as an active ingredient.
Female subjects with newly diagnosed breast carcinoma > 18 years of age Post-mastectomy with or without reconstruction Stage II-IIIb with any receptor status All races and ethnicities are eligible Patients must be able to consent in English or Spanish Plan to receive adjuvant radiotherapy to the chest wall +/- regional lymph nodes RT will involve standard fractionation use of 3D conformal or Intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) Willing to sign protocol consent form Patients are allowed to receive adjuvant hormonal therapy and/or targeted therapies such as trastuzumab prior to, during and/or after radiation therapy. Patients may receive chemotherapy before or after radiation therapy
Exclusion Criteria:
Prior radiation to the involved breast or chest wall Concurrent chemotherapy Unable or unwilling to sign informed consent Unable to speak English or Spanish Pregnant women Clinical or pathologic stage T4 Metastatic disease Connective tissue disorder including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Scleroderma
