External Radiation Therapy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• External radiation therapy is a treatment which uses radiation to treat cancer. Radiation is a strong beam of x-ray energy which passes through normal organs and tissues to reach tumors. Cancer is a condition where abnormal cells increase in number and form tumors. Tumors can grow anywhere in your body, such as in your head, chest, and abdomen (stomach). They can grow big and damage tissues, blood vessels, and nerves around them. In your brain, tumors cause headaches, seizures (convulsions), problems with how you think, and trouble remembering things. A prostate tumor can give men problems when passing urine, getting an erection, or getting a female partner pregnant. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of your body and grow into new tumors.
  
  
• Radiation may be used with other treatments such as medicines, chemotherapy and surgery. Radiation therapy may kill cancer cells, and decrease cancer pain that does not go away, even after your use medicine. It may also keep you cancer-free, and increase the years of your life.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

• You may need more treatment sessions for your cancer. You may have to come back every day for up to eight weeks. Ask your caregiver when you need to return for other more treatments. Go to your appointments on time.
  
  
• Your caregiver will check your health to see how well the treatment is working. Your caregiver may need to collect blood for tests.

Diet: It is important that you get good nutrition when you have cancer. Eat a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups. The food groups include breads, vegetables, fruits, milk and milk products, and protein (beans, eggs, poultry, meat and fish). Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy. You may need to make diet changes depending on your tolerance, the location of your cancer, or treatment side effects. For example, if you have trouble swallowing, try eating foods that are soft or in liquid form. Ask your caregiver if you should add special drinks or vitamins to your diet. Tell your caregiver if you are nauseated, vomiting, or have other problems eating or digesting your food.

Drinking liquids: Men 19 years old and older should drink about 3.0 Liters of liquid each day (close to 13 eight-ounce cups). Women 19 years old and older should drink about 2.2 Liters of liquid each day (close to 9 eight-ounce cups). It is especially important to drink enough liquids if you are vomiting. Ask your caregiver how much liquid you should drink each day. For most people, healthy liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. If you are used to drinking liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee, these can be counted in your daily liquid amount.

Skin care: External beam radiation therapy may make your skin red and very dry. Your skin may also get moist. It may begin to bleed, and start to peel off. Ask your caregiver if you should do the following to care for your skin:

• Wash your hair and scalp gently with a mild shampoo.
  
  
• Wash your skin with mild soap and avoid scrubbing it. Pat yourself dry with a towel instead of rubbing your skin.
  
  
• While bathing, do not soak for a long time as this can make your skin drier.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver for information about the type of lotion or cream you may use on your skin.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You cannot make it to your next treatment on time.
  
  
• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have questions about your illness, radiation therapy, or medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You suddenly have trouble breathing or chest pain.
  
  
• You have trouble seeing, talking, thinking, or remembering.
  
  
• You have very bad headaches or you have a seizure.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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