Research shows that for most people exercise is safe and helpful before, during, and after cancer treatment. It can help improve your quality of life as well as the energy you have to do the things you like.
Other activities. If you're having radiotherapy you may be advised to continue with your shoulder and arm exercises. You could also do any other gentle exercise that feels comfortable, such as walking, gentle stretching, yoga and pilates.
Many patients are able to go to work, keep house, and enjoy leisure activities while they are receiving radiation therapy.” Others find that they need more rest than usual and therefore cannot do as much. You should try to do the things you enjoy, as long as you don't become too tired.
Drink extra fluids to flush the radioactive material out of your body. No kissing or sexual contact (often for at least a week). Keep a distance away from others in your household. For example, you might be told to keep one arm's length, or maybe six feet, between yourself and others for a specific length of time.
Most side effects generally go away within a few weeks to 2 months of finishing treatment. But some side effects may continue after treatment is over because it takes time for healthy cells to recover from the effects of radiation therapy. Late side effects can happen months or years after treatment.
Side effects depend on where the radiation is aimed. Some side effects might show up quickly, but others might not show up until 1 to 2 years after treatment.
Early side effects, such as nausea and fatigue, usually don't last long. They may start during or right after treatment and last for several weeks after it ends, but then they get better. Late side effects, such as lung or heart problems, may take years to show up and are often permanent when they do.
Skin changes usually occur one to two weeks after your treatment begins and may last one to two weeks after your last treatment. You may shower or bathe throughout your radiation therapy. Your nurse will recommend a mild soap for you to use. It is important to keep skin folds clean and dry.
Unless you feel ill, you can typically drive yourself to treatment. In fact, many patients are able to work full-time during their treatment.
Fatigue is a common side effect of many cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant, and surgery. Conditions such as anemia, as well as pain, medications, and emotions, can also cause or worsen fatigue.
Radiation not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells, it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Damage to healthy cells can cause side effects. Many people who get radiation therapy have fatigue. Fatigue is feeling exhausted and worn out.
Two randomized clinical trials have been conducted on treatment time and oral mucositis in head-and-neck cancer patients. Both reported about 10% lower rates of severe oral mucositis in patients treated in the morning (before 11 am) vs. late afternoon (after 3 pm)(11,12).
Most patients get radiation treatments daily, 5 days a week (Monday through Friday) for 5 to 8 weeks. Weekend rest breaks allow time for normal cells to recover.
Once your treatment plan is completed, you will have follow-up appointments with the radiation oncologist. It's important to continue your follow-up care. Your health care team will want to check on your recovery and watch for treatment-related side effects, which may not happen right away.
Many people having radiotherapy feel tired (fatigued) a lot of the time or become tired very easily from doing everyday activities. This usually starts during treatment and can continue for several weeks or months after treatment finishes.
Radiation sickness is damage to your body caused by a large dose of radiation often received over a short period of time (acute). The amount of radiation absorbed by the body — the absorbed dose — determines how sick you'll be. Radiation sickness is also called acute radiation syndrome or radiation poisoning.
Radiation therapy involves giving high doses of radiation beams directly into a tumor. The radiation beams change the DNA makeup of the tumor, causing it to shrink or die. This type of cancer treatment has fewer side effects than chemotherapy since it only targets one area of the body.
Can I work during treatment? Many patients are able to work during their radiation treatment. Sometimes patients work during the first few weeks of treatment but need to take time off near the end due to side effects.
It will help you to prepare for your treatment. It is important that you are well hydrated (drinking plenty of fluids) even before you start your treatment. We ask that you aim to drink 1.5-2 litres (6-10 average mug sizes) of fluid a day. Try to drink water or non- caffeinated drinks.
Chemotherapy and radiation treatment can cause dehydration due to other side effects, like fevers, vomiting, diarrhea or excessive urination. These treatments can increase the need for IV hydration due to increased fluid needs.
For the first 2 weeks of treatment, wash your hair once a week with a gentle shampoo, such as a baby shampoo. After 2 weeks, use only warm water on your hair and scalp, without shampoo. Dry gently with a towel. Do not use a hair dryer.
You may feel sick (nauseated), with or without vomiting, for several hours after each treatment. Your radiation oncologist may prescribe medicine (antiemetic) to take at home before and after each session to prevent nausea.
Patients with acute radiation syndrome (ARS) classically go through four clinical phases: prodrome, latency, manifest illness, and either recovery or death. During the prodromal phase, they usually present with nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and even loss of consciousness at higher doses.