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Radiation Therapy and You
A Guide to Self-Help During Treatment
National Institutes of Health
National Cancer Institute
This guide is for you if you are receiving radiation therapy for cancer. Its main
purpose is to help you know what to expect and how to care for yourself during your
treatment. It describes external radiation therapy and brachytherapy using radiation
implants, the two most common types of radiation therapy. Information is included on
radiation therapy methods and the general effects of treatment. There are also some
self-help "pointers" for specific side effects.
You may not want to read this whole guide at one time. Browse through it, read the
sections that are of interest to you right now, and look at the others as needed. Because
your treatment will be planned specially for you and the type of cancer you have, some
sections of the guide will not apply to you.
Radiation therapy can vary among different doctors and hospitals. Therefore, your
treatment program or the advice of your doctor (the radiation oncologist) may differ from
what you read here. Be sure to ask questions and discuss your concerns with your doctor,
nurse, or radiation therapist. Ask whether they have information that might help you.
Words that relate to radiation therapy and other aspects of cancer care appear underlined
throughout this document. Click on these words to see their definition in the
"Glossary." Knowing the meanings of words can help you understand more about
your illness and the roles of the people involved in your care. The "Resources"
section tells you how to get more information about cancer and services for cancer
patients from the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.
Acknowledgments
The National Cancer Institute would like to thank the numerous health professionals and
patients who have assisted with the development and review of this information.
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