Radiotherapy and enemas

Enquire as to the availability in your area of Surface Guided Radio Therapy (SGRT). I had 20 sessions of this - the "E" word was never mentioned. No tattoos either. I had no side effects that I could attribute to the RT.

Not something I was aware of,  not mentioned by oncologist, maybe a bit far down the line now 

I had tattoos and twenty fractions but never had an enemana maybe you won't have to have 1 with any luck 

Hello Aubutied1c171 

It's confusing because we now have different types of radiotherapy in use at different places in the UK and each radiotherapy unit uses it's own set of rules. Most hospitals are full bladder - empty bowel - yet where I had my radiotherapy (The Christie - Oldham) it was empty bladder - empty bowel.

So I was lucky and live a mile from the hospital and did the enema at home, empty bowels and travel to hospital. 

I am sure in your circumstances if you are use the enema when you can and are eating with a good diet, as long as you don't turn up with a full bowel you should be fine.

The two things the radiography team need is you to remain still on the "sunbed" (no moving and no wind) and to be able to "see" your prostate between the bowel and bladder. It is my understanding that each fraction you attend the first rotation of the equipment is to line your prostate up to be "zapped". If the bowel or bladder is in the way then they can't treat you.

As moonrakerz pointed out in his post SGRT is being rolled out in the UK - there are about 12 hospital trusts offering this. If you ask your own NHS trust radiotherapy unit they will be able to tell you the location of the nearest unit.

I hope my ramblings above help.

Best wishes - Brian.