- Coping with Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
Common side effects of radiation therapy
Radiation therapy can cause early and late side effects.
Early side effects occur during or shortly after treatment. These side effects tend to be short-term, mild, and treatable. They usually disappear within a few weeks after treatment ends. The most common early side effects are fatigue (feeling tired) and skin changes. Other early side effects are usually related to the area treated, such as hair loss and mouth problems, depending on the area where radiation therapy is given.
Late side effects can take months or even years to develop. They can occur in any normal tissue in the body that receives radiation. The risk of late side effects depends on the area treated and the dose of radiation used. Careful treatment planning can help you avoid serious long-term side effects. It's always best to talk to your radiation oncologist about the risk of long-term side effects.
Your cancer care team can give you information about your treatment, possible side effects, and what you need to do to take care of yourself. They may also talk to you about any other medical concerns you may have. Tell them about any changes in the way you feel and any side effects you have, including skin changes, tiredness, diarrhea, or trouble eating. Make sure you understand the home care instructions and know who to call if you have more questions. Also, after hours, If you have problems at night or on weekends, make sure you know what to do if you need help.
Fatigue
Fatigue can be felt physically, mentally and emotionally. It is very common in people with cancer. It is common and often happens with radiation therapy. Most people begin to feel tired after a few weeks of radiation therapy. This happens because radiation treatments destroy some healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Fatigue often gets worse as treatment continues. The stress of illness and travel to the treatment center It can make fatigue worse. Managing fatigue is an important part of care. Radiation therapy The fatigue it causes (or the cancer itself) is different from the fatigue of daily life and may not improve with rest. It can last a long time and interfere with your normal activities. However, it usually goes away over time after treatment ends.
You just need to know whether you have fatigue and how bad it is. No lab test or x-ray can diagnose or describe your level of fatigue. The best measure of fatigue is how you feel. You can describe your level of fatigue as none, mild, moderate, or severe. Or you can use a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is fatigue. means none, and 10 is the worst fatigue you can imagine.
In either case, it's important to explain your fatigue to your cancer care team. Be sure to talk to them if:
- Your fatigue doesn't get better, It keeps coming back or gets worse.
- You are more tired than usual during or after an activity.
- You feel tired and it's not related to what you're doing.
- You're feeling tired. You become confused or unable to focus on your thoughts.
- You cannot get out of bed for more than 24 hours.
- Your fatigue disrupts your social life or daily routine.
- If you need to take time off work, talk to your employer.Also, You may also have certain rights to help you keep your job.
Skin problems
Your skin in the radiation treatment area may become red, irritated, swollen, blistered, exposed to sun exposure. It may appear burned or tanned. After a few weeks, your skin may become dry, flaky, itchy, or peeling. This is sometimes called radiation dermatitis. It is important to inform your cancer care team about any skin changes. To relieve discomfort, reduce further irritation, and prevent infection
Most skin reactions disappear slowly after treatment ends. However, in some cases, the treated skin will remain darker and may be more sensitive than before.
Your skin may be more sensitive than before. You need to be gentle with it. Here are some ways to do this:
Do not wear tight, rough-woven or stiff clothing over the treatment area. Instead, it is made of soft, smooth fabrics. Wear loose-fitting clothing.
Do not rub, scrub, scratch, or use adhesive tape on treated skin. If your skin needs to be covered or wrapped, use paper tape or other tape for sensitive skin. Try to place the tape outside the treatment area and Do not place the patch in the same place each time.
Do not apply heat or cold (such as a heating pad, heat lamp, or ice pack) to the treatment area without talking to your cancer care team first. Even hot water can damage your skin, so Use only warm water to wash the treated area.
Protect the treated area from the sun. Your skin may be very sensitive to sunlight. If possible, cover the skin in the treated area with dark or UV protective clothing before going outside. Cancer Ask your care team if you need to use sunscreen. If so, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Reapply sunscreen frequently. Continue to give your skin extra protection from sunlight even after radiation treatment has ended.
Use only warm water and mild soap. Allow the water to flow over the treatment area. Do not rub. Also, avoid radiation treatment. Be careful not to rub the ink marks needed for your treatment until treatment is finished.
Consult your cancer care team before shaving the treated area. They may recommend using an electric shaver.
There is no skin damage in the treatment area. Check with your cancer care team before using anything. This includes powders, creams, perfumes, deodorants, body oils, ointments, lotions, hair removal products, or home remedies while you are being treated and for several weeks. Many skin products can leave a coating on the skin that can cause irritation. and some may even affect the dose of radiation entering the body.
Hair loss
Radiation therapy can cause hair loss (the medical word for this is alopecia.) But hair is the only treatment. For example, radiation to your head may cause you to lose some or all of the hair on your head (even eyebrows and eyelashes), but if you receive treatment on your hip, you will not lose the hair on your head.
Most people notice their hair growing back after treatment ends, but coping with hair loss can be difficult. When hair grows back, your hair may be thinner or different than before. Ask your cancer care team if you have any questions or concerns about hair loss.
If you lose your hair, your scalp may be sensitive and you may want to cover your head. Use a hat or scarf to protect your head while in the sun. If you choose to wear a wig, make sure the liner does not irritate your scalp.
Low blood count
Rarely, radiation therapy can decrease your white blood cell or platelet count. These blood cells help your body fight infection and prevent bleeding. If your blood tests show low blood count, your blood count may decrease. Your treatment may be stopped for up to a week for it to return to normal. If you are receiving chemotherapy, this side effect is more likely.
Eating problems
The mouth or throat area or areas of the digestive system are more likely to occur.
Eating problems
Radiation to the stomach (such as the stomach or intestines) can cause eating and digestive problems. Even if you develop anorexia during treatment, try to eat protein and some high-calorie foods. Doctors have proven that patients who eat well can better handle cancer treatment and its side effects.
Dealing with short-term diet problems may be easier than you think. Food Various guides and recipe booklets are available for people who need help with eating.
How long do side effects last?
Radiation side effects generally depend on the recommended dose and schedule. It usually begins in the second or third week of treatment. Most side effects disappear within a few months after stopping treatment. Some side effects may continue after treatment ends because it takes time for healthy cells to heal from damage from radiation. There are ways to reduce the discomfort that radiation causes. Your bad side effects may occur. If you have, your doctor may stop your treatments for a while, change the timing, or change the type of treatment you receive. Tell your cancer care team about any effects you notice so they can help you.
People often become discouraged by the length of their treatment or the side effects. If you feel this way, talk to your cancer care team. If necessary, they can suggest ways to help you feel better.
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