A cancer diagnosis comes with curiosity about many new topics and treatments – and a long list of internet searches. If your care team recommends radiation for cancer treatment, it’s normal to be wary of the unknown. What will it feel like? Will it make you sick? Can you still live a normal life during treatment?
When you know what to expect, you can face treatment with confidence instead of fear. If you still have more questions about whether radiation is right for your cancer treatment or what you can expect, make an appointment with an oncologist to get answers.
What is radiation therapy and how does it work?
Radiation therapy uses powerful, focused energy – in the form of X-rays, protons or other particles – to damage the DNA inside cancer cells. When radiation damages cancer cell DNA, the cells can’t grow or divide, and they die off over time.
The good news is that healthy cells are much better at repairing themselves after radiation than cancer cells are. That means doctors can target tumors while limiting harm to the healthy tissue around them.
Radiation can be used in many ways as part of your cancer care plan:
- As the main treatment to shrink or destroy a tumor
- After surgery to get rid of any cancer cells that may remain
- Along with chemotherapy to make treatment more effective
- To relieve pain or other symptoms when cancer has spread
Your radiation oncologist will tailor a treatment plan that accounts for your cancer type, its location and your overall health.
Does radiation for cancer hurt?
One of the first questions most patients have is whether radiation to treat cancer will hurt.
External beam radiation, the most common type, is completely painless. You can’t see it, smell it or feel it. In terms of perception, radiation is similar to getting an X-ray: it works, but you are unaware.
“You may develop side effects over time as treatment adds up, but the radiation itself does not hurt in the moment,” Elizabeth Carek, APRN-CNP, a nurse practitioner who works with radiation patients in our Lorain market, says.
What about internal radiation therapy? Also called brachytherapy, this approach involves placing a small radioactive source inside or near the tumor. The placement procedure may involve some mild discomfort, but your care team will keep you as comfortable as possible.
What are the most common side effects of radiation?
Side effects from radiation depend on the part of your body your care team treats, the dose you receive and your overall health. Most side effects are temporary and improve after treatment ends.
Here’s what patients who receive radiation therapy most commonly experience:
- Fatigue: Feeling tired is the most common side effect of radiation. Your body uses a lot of energy to heal during cancer treatment. Rest when you need to, but light activity like short walks can actually help boost your energy over time.
- Skin changes: Skin in the treatment area may become red, dry or sensitive like a sunburn. Your care team will show you how to care for it and which products to use or avoid.
- Hair loss: Radiation causes hair loss only in the area you treat. Unlike chemotherapy, it does not cause hair to fall out all over the body.
- Nausea: You may experience this more often when radiation targets your abdomen or brain. Medication can help, and your team will work with you to manage it.
- Mouth sores or trouble swallowing: Radiation directed at the head or neck area commonly causes this. Your care team can recommend rinses, medications and dietary adjustments to make eating more comfortable.
Keep your care team informed when you experience new side effects or if they become worse. Your care team is there to help you through every step of treatment. No concern is too small to mention and all questions are valid.
Will I be radioactive? Can I be around my family?
The answer depends on what type of radiation therapy you’re receiving.
- External beam radiation: If you’re receiving external beam radiation, you are not radioactive at all after treatment. The beam enters your body and stops there. It does not stay in your system or spread to the people around you. You can hug your kids, spend time with your partner and continue your normal routine.
- Internal radiation (brachytherapy): This type of radiation involves placing a radioactive source inside or near the tumor. If it’s a temporary implant, you may need to stay in the hospital briefly and limit close contact while the implant is in place. If it’s a permanent implant – similar to the tiny seeds sometimes used to treat prostate cancer – the radiation level is very low and fades quickly over time. Your oncologist will give you specific guidelines.
- Radioiodine therapy (used for thyroid cancer): This treatment uses a radioactive material that you swallow as a pill or liquid. For a few days afterward, you may need to limit close contact with others, especially young children and pregnant women. Your care team will walk you through exactly what precautions to take and for how long.
No matter what type of radiation you receive, your care team will clearly explain what to expect. They will also tell you if any precautions apply to you.
Can I still work and drive during radiation treatment?
For many patients, the answer is yes, especially early on.
Many people keep working during radiation, particularly if they have a desk job or can work from home. Fatigue tends to build gradually over the course of treatment, so you may feel fine at first but need to adjust your schedule later on. Some patients cut back to part-time hours or take a short leave toward the end of a treatment course. Talk with your care team about your schedule so you can plan ahead and ask your employer about any flexibility you might need.
Most patients are able to drive themselves to and from appointments. If you’re taking medications that cause drowsiness or if fatigue becomes significant, it’s a good idea to arrange rides. Some people find it comforting to have a friend or family member come along for the company and support as well as a ride.
Lean on the people who love you and want to be there for you. Letting others help is a smart way to take care of yourself during treatment.
How to prepare for a radiation therapy appointment
Knowing what to expect during radiation therapy treatment can help you feel calm and in control. Here’s how you can prepare:
- What to wear: Dress in loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to take on and off. Skip wearing jewelry, lotions and perfume on the day of treatment.
- What to bring: Bring your insurance card, a list of your current medications and a photo ID. A book, podcast or playlist can help you relax while you wait.
- How long it takes: Each treatment session usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Most of that time is is used to carefully position you. The actual delivery of radiation only takes a few minutes.
- During the treatment session: You’ll lie on a treatment table while the machine moves around you. You won’t be inside a closed tunnel like an MRI, but you will need to remain still. The machine makes noise but doesn’t touch you. Staff will check on you and can answer questions.
- Mental preparation: Feeling nervous before your first treatment is completely normal. Many patients find it helps to talk to others who’ve been through it – a friend, a cancer support group or a counselor. Your care team can connect you with local and virtual support resources.
How we can help
Cancer care takes an entire team working together.
“Treating patients with cancer requires multiple disciplines working closely together to ensure we fully meet our patients’ needs,” Elizabeth says.
Your radiation therapy team plays a role in supporting you from the first phone call:
- Front desk staff work hard to get you seen quickly, handle insurance approvals and coordinate referrals and testing. This way you can focus on your health, not the paperwork.
- Your radiation oncologist will evaluate your cancer, build a personalized treatment plan and follow your progress closely throughout treatment. They will ensure things are going as planned and help manage any side effects.
- Nurse practitioners like Elizabeth work closely with patients during radiation to monitor how you feel, manage side effects and answer questions.
- Behind the scenes, a dosimetrist and physicist ensure your radiation therapy is both precise and safe.
You aren’t alone during your cancer treatment. Make an appointment with an oncologist to assemble your care team and get answers to the questions you have.
Learn about the cancer care and oncology services we offer at Mercy Health.
