Radiotherapy - What is it Like From a Patient's Perspective?

Radiotherapy is used to treat 60% of all Cancers.during the session.
This article is a non-technical insight into whatYou will hear the machine moving into position. Try to
treatment is like, from a patient's perspective.remain completely still - you will find that the
Radiation therapy, to give it its full name, has beentreatment only lasts for a few minutes and it often
used in the treatment and control of Cancer fortakes longer for the staff to set up the table than it
many years, with it's origins dating back todoes for the machine to do its work.
discoveries made in the early 1900's. TechnologicalThe machine may then move to a second position,
advances made in recent years have made it saferso as to treat the tumour from several angles - again
and more effective than ever before and with earlytry to remain still, it won't be long now and your first
diagnosis more patients are now able to make a fullsession will be over.
and complete recovery following treatment byOnce this is complete, the staff will return and move
radiation therapy.the table back into to its starting position. You may
There are actually several different methods offeel a little disoriented by the movement of the
radiotherapy and your oncologist will have chosen thetable, so wait for the staff to tell you if you can get
most appropriate for the type and location of youroff and take a moment to gather yourself first.
Cancer. For the purposes of this article, I'm going toOne of the radiotherapists will sign your appointment
deal with the most common - external beamcard and your first session will be over.
radiotherapy as a curative measure.Moving Onwards
First of all, there are three things to remember:Over the coming days & weeks you'll become used
1. We are all human, we all fear the unknown andto the sessions and start to get into a routine. You
that's natural but it's important to stay focused onwill also get to know some of the staff and your
the positive and the fact that your treatment isfellow patients, who can help make the daily journey
going to help you.a little less onerous.
2. External beam radiotherapy is painless - you won'tYou will have to report for check-ups during your
feel anything during the treatment, although you maytreatment and will be asked how you are feeling and
experience some discomfort or side effects as yourwhether you are experiencing any side effects.
sessions continue (I'll outline this in more detail later).Side Effects
3. Although this form of treatment involves radiation,Whether you experience any side effects will depend
it is delivered in a tightly focused beam, in aon a number of factors, some clinical and some
controlled environment by highly trained staff.personal including your age, general level of fitness
The radiation is being used to kill the tumour andand mental attitude regarding the whole situation,
that's got to be a good thing.which can have a marked effect on how good or
Before We Beginbad you feel.
Before treatment can begin your medical team willSide effects basically fall into two sorts - short term
have thoroughly discussed your case, your particularand long term. The short term effects are usually
form of Cancer and they will have undertaken scanscumulative i.e. they become more pronounced
of the area to determine the size and shape of thetowards the end of the course. You will probably find
tumour to be treated.that you feel tired and lethargic and that the skin
A senior oncologist will have decided a suitable dosesurrounding the treatment site becomes tender and
and this will have been broken down into what areslightly red - this is to be expected.
called 'Fractions', or parts of the overall dose that youYou may find that your appetite changes or in the
will receive over the course of your treatment.case of treatment of the mouth/throat that you
The length of the course and the number of sessionshave a strange taste in your mouth or a dry & sore
will vary from case to case, depending partly on thethroat.
overall dose and partly on where in the body theUsually these symptoms will disappear soon after the
tumour is located.treatments are over but during your treatment the
Typically the course will take place 4 to 5 days amedical staff will help you deal with them and make
week, over a period of 5 to 7 weeks. This isyou feel more comfortable.
necessary so the Cancer cells can be damaged on aTry to get plenty of rest, eat sensibly - choose
consistent basis, whilst giving the healthy cells enoughhealthy foods and consider the possibility of taking a
chance to recover during off-days and weekends.vitamin supplement or tonic (once you have cleared it
X Marks the Spotwith your clinician) as boosting your immune system
Modern radiotherapy can deliver very precise dosescan really help.
of radiation in a very localised way but in order toCertain effects can be more long lasting and you
achieve the best results it's important that themay find for instance that in the future the skin
patient can remain still and in the same position onaround the site will be more prone to sunburn, or
each successive day, throughout the course of theirthat the hair in that area is thin or doesn't grow at all.
treatment.Some effects are specific to the area being treated,
To achieve this you may be fitted for a mask (forsuch as dry eyes which are caused by a change in
head or neck treatment) or have small referencethe tear glands or a deepening of the voice, which
marks made on your body to ensure the staff cancan be caused by damage to the larynx but the
position you correctly. Usually this will involve a CTimportant thing to remember is that whilst these
scan to precisely locate the tumour but this is quitesymptoms may be long term, they are certainly
straight forwards and again is nothing to worrypreferable to the alternative.
about.Finally, some people are naturally worried that there
Day Onemight be a risk of Cancer from radiation but thanks
Prior to the first treatment, a member of medicalto the advances in modern medicine and the fact
staff will have discussed some of the do's and don'tsthat treatment is broken down into parts that the
with you. These normally revolve around not usingbody can tolerate, the risk of subsequent Cancer is
deodorant, scents or scented soap in the area to bevery small.
treated and taking care of the skin.Post Treatment
When you arrive for your first session, try to arriveIn the first few weeks and months following
in good time. You will probably find several othertreatment, your body will still be recovering from the
patients in the waiting room and althoughradiation and rebuilding itself.
conversation can be difficult to begin, there is muchIt can be a good idea to use a quality moisturiser on
to be gained by talking with other patients - some ofthe skin surrounding the treatment area - don't
whom may be attending hospital at the same time asforget to moisturise the front & back of your body,
your for several weeks to come; You may even bewhere the beam passes through.
able to collectively share your experience or offerDrink plenty of water, eat well and if you are able,
reassurance to each other.get some gentle exercise. Rediscover your sense of
When it is your turn, you will be shown into thehumour, laugh as often as you can and begin to
treatment room and asked to lie on the table (usuallyenjoy life again.
beneath the machine), whilst the staff position youRemember, tomorrow is a new day - grab it with
correctly. Once this is done the staff will leave theboth hands and make the most of it.
room, although there is normally a camera andI wish you well.
intercom with which they can communicate with you