What Are the Effects of Treatment?
External radiation therapy does not cause your body to become radioactive. There is no need to avoid being with other people because of your treatment. Even hugging, kissing, or having sexual relations with others pose no risk to them of radiation exposure.
Side effects of radiation therapy are most often related to the area that is being treated. Your doctor and nurse will tell you about the side effects you need to watch for and how you should deal with them. You should contact your doctor or nurse if you have any unusual symptoms during your treatment such as coughing, sweating, fever, or unusual pain. Most side effects that occur during radiation therapy, although unpleasant, are not serious and can be controlled with medication or diet. They usually go away within a few weeks after treatment ends. However, some side effects can last longer. Many patients have no side effects at all.
Throughout your treatment, your radiation oncologist will regularly check on the effects of the treatment. You may not be aware of changes in the cancer, but you will be able to notice decreases in pain, bleeding, or other discomforts you may have had. For some cancers, the doctor may order an X-ray exam or CT scan to see whether the tumor is shrinking. Tumors that are fairly large and more dense than the normal tissue around them can often be seen with the standard X-ray. Your doctor will probably recommend some tests to be sure that the radiation is causing as little damage to normal cells as possible. You may have routine blood tests to check the levels of white blood cells and platelets, which may be lower than normal during treatment.
What Can I Do To Take Care of Myself During Therapy?
Each patient’s body responds to radiation therapy in its own way. That’s why the doctor must plan- and sometimes adjust- your treatment just for you. In addition, your doctor or nurse will give you advice for caring for yourself at home that is specific for your treatment and the side effects that might result.
Nearly all cancer patients receiving radiation therapy need to take special care of themselves to protect their health and help the treatment succeed. Some guidelines are given below:
- Be sure to get plenty of rest. Sleep as often as you feel the need. Your body will use a lot of extra energy over the course of your treatment, and you may feel very tired.
- Good nutrition is a must. Try to eat a balanced diet that will prevent weight loss.
- Avoid wearing tight clothes such as girdles or close-fitting collars over the treatment area. It’s best to wear older garments that feel comfortable and that you can wash or throw away if the ink marks rub off on them.
