Radiation therapy is a type of treatment for cancer. It uses high-energy beams called radiation to fight cancer cells. Radiation for treating cancer is from radioactive substances or special machines. The main purpose of the machines is to focus specific radiation amounts of radiation at affected parts hence killing cancerous cells or stopping them from spreading. It affects both healthy and cancerous cells. While healthy cells can repair themselves naturally, the cancerous cells cannot repair after your treatment.
If you plan on getting radiation treatment, there are a few important things that you can do in preparation. After treatment, you will feel the effects of radiation treatment depending on the treated area. Since the effects may vary from one body part to another, it can be hard to prepare. However, here are a few general preparation tips that may help. They include:
Quit Smoking
If you smoke, you need to cut down or quit before getting radiation therapy. Smoking can make your treatment less effective. It makes the side effects of treatment worse. If you have trouble quitting, consider seeking the help of a professional. Quitting is difficult especially if you are already stressed about your treatment. Get as much support as possible to make things easier for you.
Discuss Fertility Issues
Speak with your doctor about radiation treatment and its effect on your fertility if you plan on having children. You should have a discussion about the need to preserve fertility before treatment. Women should let their doctors know if there is a possibility of pregnancy as radiation therapy is bad for a fetus. Your doctor will discuss the effects of radiation on your fertility and help you understand why it is your best option.
Prepare for the Side Effects
The side effects of radiation treatment include:
- Movement limitations
- Scarring
- Fatigue
- Fertility and libido changes
- Impaired judgment
- Inability to perform regular activities
Anticipating these side effects will help you set in place measures to deal with them. Prepare to have enough rest after your treatment.
Relax
When you are about to get radiation treatment, you are likely to feel stressed, anxious, and stressed. While this is normal, you must find a way to relax. Consider reading a book. Listening to calming music, exercise, or speaking with your loved ones. Relaxing can make the treatment process a lot easier for you. During the session, you can use breathing exercises or meditation to relax.
Prepare Your Bag
Before getting radiation treatment, prepare your treatment bag. It should include items that will keep you comfortable, warm, and entertained. The bag may include:
- A pillow and blanket
- Body lotion
- Comfortable clothes
- Stress ball
- Journal and pen
- Music player and headphones
- Lip balm
- Calming teas
- Reading material
Get Help At Home
You will need help with your household chores for the first weeks after treatment. Organize some support with your errands, homework, meals, and other important tasks. If there are children in your household, there should be someone to care for them during your treatment and afterward. Getting the help of your family or friends may give you much-needed rest and peace of mind.
Talk About Metal Implants
If you have any metal implants, your doctor needs to know about them before treatment. Radiation treatment is likely to affect them.
Organize for Transport
Arrange to have transport from the hospital after your treatment. Speak with the hospital staff about parking arrangements as most clinics have special parking for patients that need radiation treatment.
Many patients feel strong enough to catch public transportation or drive during the first sessions. However, things can get difficult after some time. You are likely to feel tired and dizzy as treatment progresses. All types of radiation treatment can lower your energy levels. Have a volunteer or loved one drive you to and from the hospital.
If you do not have anyone to drive you, consider asking for help. Most radiation therapy departments will be happy to offer transport services. They have vans or buses to pick you up and drop you off at home.
Find Out Who Will Be Treating You
Knowing the people that will administer treatment may give you peace of mind. During the course of your treatment, you will be examined by an oncology team and a radiation therapy nurse. You will see a radiation oncology doctor about once every week. Try to meet everyone that is involved in your treatment ahead of time. Ask about their training, qualifications, and certification. Knowing that you are in the right hands will give you peace of mind.
Discuss Your Concerns
If you have concerns or questions, write them down in your notebook and discuss them with your healthcare provider. At the time of treatment, you should know what it entails, its benefits, potential side effects, and why you need it. Let a member of the treatment team know if you feel anxious about your treatment or diagnosis. You can also discuss your concerns with others going through the same treatment or your loved ones.
Arrive Early
The length of your treatment will depend on factors such as the dose you need per day and target location. You will receive your schedule for the coming week so you can prepare for it. The treatment team will try to match your schedule to your needs.
Ideally, you should prepare to arrive about ten minutes before your allocated time. You should have enough time to prepare before your procedure. Usually, the radiation is delivered for five to 20 minutes. Before this, you may need about 15 minutes to get into the correct position.
Even though it is impossible to be completely prepared for your radiation treatment, putting in some effort could improve your experience. Important things to do include packing a bag with everything you need, asking the right questions, arranging for transportation, and getting some help with your house chores. These tips will add a sense of organization and direction to your treatment process.
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