Knowing what to expect during and after treatment can help you prepare and reduce any anxiety that you may be feeling. The following information has been put together to help you understand your radiation therapy treatment, and we hope to reduce any concerns you have. For advice specific to your needs and treatment plan, please speak to your treating doctor.

We are here to answer your questions, and to help you feel prepared for your treatment. You can send us a message if you would like more information about being treated at Icon or would like to find out how to become a patient.

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is the use of radiation to safely treat and manage cancer. Radiation oncologists use radiation to eradicate cancer cells, reduce their growth or relieve symptoms of cancer. Radiation therapy treats cancer by damaging cancer cells while limiting the impact to healthy cells. It works because cancer cells are more sensitive to radiation than healthy, normal cells. When a small dose of radiation is given each day over several weeks, normal cells can recover from the radiation, but cancer cells cannot. It is typically a painless treatment, similar to having an x-ray, and is only delivered to the part of the body being treated.

Icon uses the most cutting-edge radiation therapy techniques and technology to deliver pinpoint accurate radiation to the tumour. Our technology and expertise allows us to accurately treat all cancer types of various size, type and location.

Radiation therapy treatment can be delivered on its own, or in combination with other forms of treatment, such as chemotherapy, hormones and surgery. It is commonly undertaken as an outpatient service.

Treatment is usually given in daily intervals (Monday to Friday) over several weeks, allowing enough radiation to target cancer cells while providing healthy cells enough time to recuperate. A single course of radiation therapy is unique to each person and their condition. This includes the site and stage of the disease, type of disease, a person’s age and general health. Radiation does not make you radioactive, and it is safe for patients undergoing treatment to be around other people, including children.

People who receive radiation therapy may experience skin dryness, itching, blistering, or peeling. These usually resolve a few weeks after treatment has finished. Another common side effect is fatigue, a feeling of exhaustion that does not improve with rest. Your level of fatigue may depend on whether you are undergoing other treatments, such as chemotherapy. Although most side effects go away after radiation therapy has finished, some long-term effects may occur.

As radiation therapy is localised to an area of the body, you may only experience side effects in this area. Your radiation oncologist and treatment team will discuss the type of side effects you may experience, however it is important to let your treating team know if any effects you notice or that are making you uncomfortable.

Most side effects are temporary and can be treated or managed. At Icon, we are always here to help our patients find ways to manage any side effects that you experience.

• Skin reaction

Two to three weeks after treatment starts your skin may become red, itchy or irritated. This reaction can last the remainder of your treatment, and usually returns to normal two to four weeks after treatment finishes. Sometimes the reaction can become more intense towards the end of treatment, and increase for up to two weeks after treatment finishes.

• Fatigue

You may feel tired or lack energy for daily activities during your treatment. You may feel increasingly tired as you reach the end of your treatment. This is a common reaction to radiation therapy and each person is usually affected to varying degrees. Fatigue usually eases a few weeks after treatment finishes. Finding a balance between rest and activity will help you manage.

To learn more about radiation therapy side effects, click here.