Evaluating Mepitel in Post-mastectomy Patients and the Role of the Skin Microbiome in Radiation Dermatitis

Inclusion Criteria:

- Age ≥ 18 years.

- Histological confirmation of breast or chest wall malignancy

- Primary or recurrent disease eligible

- Post-mastectomy with or without reconstruction

- Undergoing unilateral external beam radiotherapy at the Mayo Clinic - Rochester, MN or
Mayo Clinic - Eau Claire, WI

- Ability to complete questionnaire(s) by themselves or with assistance

- Provide informed written consent

- Willing to consent for photography of radiation field

- Available to return to Mayo Clinic in within 6 weeks post-treatment for assessment

- Able to initiate thin film usage within first 3 days of the initiation of treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

- Documented history of adhesive or tape allergy

- Unable to provide written consent

- Patients with prior radiotherapy to any portion of the planned treatment site

- Brachytherapy patients

- Patients with active rash, pre-existing dermatitis, lupus, or scleroderma

- Gross dermal involvement at initiation of radiotherapy

- Recent use of systemic or topical antibiotics or antifungal medications within 14 days
of swab collection

- Recent use of any of the following within 14 days of swab collection:

- Systemic or topical steroids

- Use of systemic immunosuppressant drugs

- Use of ultraviolet light therapy

- Clinical evidence of infection that in the judgement of the principle investigator
would interfere with proper assessment of the skin microbiome

- Prior organ or bone marrow transplant

- Current lactation

- Undergoing bilateral radiation