What are the side effects of radiotherapy?
Have womb cancer stage 3 that has spread to lymph nodes. Unable to have hysterectomy due to where it has spread.
Start radiotherapy next week and nervous about the side effects
What are the side effects of radiotherapy?
Have womb cancer stage 3 that has spread to lymph nodes. Unable to have hysterectomy due to where it has spread.
Start radiotherapy next week and nervous about the side effects
Hi Star23,
I’m Kirsty one of the cancer information nurse specialists that work on the Macmillan support line. Thanks for getting in touch.
I understand your anxiety ahead of your radiotherapy. It is natural to worry about a cancer treatment that is new to you and difficult to predict which side effects will affect you.
Side effects vary from person to person, and most can be treated. Treatment is planned by the radiographer to avoid or cause less side effects. The hope is that any side effects that you do experience will remain mild, and be well managed by the radiographer and nurse who are there to support you. Side effects tend to build over the course of radiotherapy and are usually at their worst towards the end of your treatment. They can continue for a week or two afterwards before improving and so perhaps plan for this to be a quieter time for you.
Radiotherapy to the womb area is called pelvic radiotherapy and side effects are discussed in the link. Any side effects that you experience will be in the pelvic or tummy area, apart from fatigue. This feeling of extreme tiredness is common towards the end of radiotherapy and planning ahead, pacing activities throughout the day and resting when you need to are key to managing this.
There is a small risk of long-term side effects or those that start months after treatment has finished. Please speak to your cancer nurse specialist for some reassurance about late effects.
It can feel overwhelming when trying to prepare yourself for possible side effects. Because a side effect is listed, does not mean that you will get it. Even if you do, you will have the opportunity to discuss side effects and raise concerns during your radiotherapy. This allows the hospital team to support you and manage them quickly.
Best wishes for your upcoming treatment. You can always give us a call on 0808 808 00 00 for additional reassurance and emotional support.
Take care
Kirsty, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.
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