A Radiotherapy appointment in east and North Hertfordshire

What will happen at my first radiotherapy visit?

When you go for your first radiotherapy visit, here is what you can expect:

You will meet friendly staff who will help you. They will explain what will happen and answer any questions you have.

You might have a scan. This helps the doctors see where you need the treatment.

You will change into a special gown for the treatment.

When it is time for the treatment, you will lie down on a big machine. The machine will not touch you, but it will move around you.

The treatment does not hurt, but you will need to stay still for a short time.

You can bring a friend or family member to wait with you. They can give you support and comfort.

If you feel worried, tell the staff. They are there to help you feel calm and safe.

Remember, it is okay to have questions. Asking questions can help you understand your treatment better.

How long does radiotherapy take?

Each time you go for radiotherapy, it will take about 10 to 30 minutes.

Bring a book or toy to pass the time if you have to wait.

Ask someone to come with you, like a friend or family member, for support.

What should I do to get ready for my radiotherapy sessions?

Here are some simple steps to help you get ready:

• Wear comfortable clothes.
• Ask a friend or family member to come with you, if you can.
• Make a list of any questions you have for your doctor.

It can also help to use calming techniques, like taking deep breaths.

Will it hurt during radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy is a kind of treatment. Some people worry it might hurt.

Good news! Most people do not feel pain from the treatment itself.

Some parts of your body might feel sore or tired later. Let a doctor or nurse know if this happens. They can help.

You can use things like:

• Soft music to help you relax
• A soft pillow for comfort
• Talking to someone you trust

How many times do I go for radiotherapy?

Can I drive to my radiotherapy appointments?

Radiotherapy is a treatment for cancer. It can make you feel very tired.

Ask your doctor if you can drive. They will help you decide.

If driving is hard, ask a friend or family member for a ride. You can also look for help from a community service.

What might happen to my body after radiotherapy?

After having radiotherapy, some people might feel changes in their body. Here are a few things you might feel:

• You could feel very tired.
• Your skin might get red or sore.
• You might feel sick to your stomach.
• You could have a headache.

Everyone is different, so you may not feel all these things. It is important to tell your doctor how you feel. They can help you feel better.

Try some ways to help you rest and feel better:

• Get lots of sleep.
• Eat healthy foods.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Ask friends or family for help when you need it.

Can I keep working while I have radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy is a treatment for cancer. It can make you feel tired. Some people can still work. Some people need to rest. Talk to your doctor about how you feel.

Here are some tips to help you:

• Tell your boss you are having treatment.
• Work part-time if you can.
• Take breaks when you feel tired.

It's okay to ask for help. You can use a calendar to plan your days. Make sure to rest and take care of yourself.

Will I lose my hair from radiotherapy?

Here is a simpler version of the question, written in a way that is easier to understand. This translation uses short sentences and simple words.

Will my hair fall out if I have radiotherapy?

If you have radiotherapy, it might make your hair fall out. It depends on where the radiotherapy is used on your body. If the treatment is on your head, your hair there can fall out.

If you have more questions, asking your doctor or nurse can help you understand better. You can also use pictures to help you learn. Talking with friends or family can also help make things clearer.

Can I eat and drink like usual when I have radiotherapy?

Yes, you can eat and drink like normal. But sometimes, the treatment might make you feel a bit sick or not hungry.

If this happens, try these tips:

• Eat small meals often, not just three big meals.
• Drink lots of water to stay healthy.
• Ask your doctor or nurse for help and advice.

Can I be with my family and friends while I get better?

Here is some simple advice:

• Ask your doctor if it is okay to see family and friends.
• Wash your hands to keep germs away.
• Tell people to stay home if they feel sick.
• Rest when you feel tired.

Tools to help:

• Use a calendar to plan visits when you feel good.
• Use video calls to talk to family and friends if you can't see them in person.

What if I can't go to a radiotherapy session?

If you miss a radiotherapy session, don't worry. Tell the doctor or nurse as soon as you can.

Things that can help:

• Write down your appointments on a calendar.
• Ask a friend or family member to remind you.
• Use alarms on your phone to remember.

How do I take care of my skin where I am getting treatment?

Here are some simple tips:

• Wash the skin gently with warm water and mild soap.
• Pat the skin dry with a soft towel. Do not rub it.
• Avoid using any creams or lotions that have strong smells or chemicals unless your doctor says it's okay.
• Wear soft, loose clothes to keep the skin from getting irritated.
• If you go outside, protect your skin from the sun.

If you have questions, you can ask your doctor or nurse for help.

Using a calendar can help you remember to take care of your skin every day.

Will I need to see the doctor again after my treatment?

Yes, you might need to see the doctor again after you finish your treatment. This is to make sure you are getting better.

Helpful Tips:

• Ask someone you trust to help you remember your appointments.
• Use a calendar or set reminders on your phone for your next visit.
• Bring a friend or family member to the appointment if you need support.

Can I do exercise when I am having radiotherapy?

It's good to move your body, even when having radiotherapy. Try these tips:

• Do simple exercises, like walking.
• Rest when you feel tired.
• Talk to your doctor about what is safe for you.

What will happen at my first radiotherapy visit?

When you go for your first radiotherapy visit, here is what you can expect:

You will meet friendly staff who will help you. They will explain what will happen and answer any questions you have.

You might have a scan. This helps the doctors see where you need the treatment.

You will change into a special gown for the treatment.

When it is time for the treatment, you will lie down on a big machine. The machine will not touch you, but it will move around you.

The treatment does not hurt, but you will need to stay still for a short time.

You can bring a friend or family member to wait with you. They can give you support and comfort.

If you feel worried, tell the staff. They are there to help you feel calm and safe.

Remember, it is okay to have questions. Asking questions can help you understand your treatment better.

How long does radiotherapy take?

Each time you go for radiotherapy, it will take about 10 to 30 minutes.

Bring a book or toy to pass the time if you have to wait.

Ask someone to come with you, like a friend or family member, for support.

What should I do to get ready for my radiotherapy sessions?

Here are some simple steps to help you get ready:

• Wear comfortable clothes.
• Ask a friend or family member to come with you, if you can.
• Make a list of any questions you have for your doctor.

It can also help to use calming techniques, like taking deep breaths.

Will it hurt during radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy is a kind of treatment. Some people worry it might hurt.

Good news! Most people do not feel pain from the treatment itself.

Some parts of your body might feel sore or tired later. Let a doctor or nurse know if this happens. They can help.

You can use things like:

• Soft music to help you relax
• A soft pillow for comfort
• Talking to someone you trust

How many times do I go for radiotherapy?

Can I drive to my radiotherapy appointments?

Radiotherapy is a treatment for cancer. It can make you feel very tired.

Ask your doctor if you can drive. They will help you decide.

If driving is hard, ask a friend or family member for a ride. You can also look for help from a community service.

What might happen to my body after radiotherapy?

After having radiotherapy, some people might feel changes in their body. Here are a few things you might feel:

• You could feel very tired.
• Your skin might get red or sore.
• You might feel sick to your stomach.
• You could have a headache.

Everyone is different, so you may not feel all these things. It is important to tell your doctor how you feel. They can help you feel better.

Try some ways to help you rest and feel better:

• Get lots of sleep.
• Eat healthy foods.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Ask friends or family for help when you need it.

Can I keep working while I have radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy is a treatment for cancer. It can make you feel tired. Some people can still work. Some people need to rest. Talk to your doctor about how you feel.

Here are some tips to help you:

• Tell your boss you are having treatment.
• Work part-time if you can.
• Take breaks when you feel tired.

It's okay to ask for help. You can use a calendar to plan your days. Make sure to rest and take care of yourself.

Will I lose my hair from radiotherapy?

Here is a simpler version of the question, written in a way that is easier to understand. This translation uses short sentences and simple words.

Will my hair fall out if I have radiotherapy?

If you have radiotherapy, it might make your hair fall out. It depends on where the radiotherapy is used on your body. If the treatment is on your head, your hair there can fall out.

If you have more questions, asking your doctor or nurse can help you understand better. You can also use pictures to help you learn. Talking with friends or family can also help make things clearer.

Can I eat and drink like usual when I have radiotherapy?

Yes, you can eat and drink like normal. But sometimes, the treatment might make you feel a bit sick or not hungry.

If this happens, try these tips:

• Eat small meals often, not just three big meals.
• Drink lots of water to stay healthy.
• Ask your doctor or nurse for help and advice.

Can I be with my family and friends while I get better?

Here is some simple advice:

• Ask your doctor if it is okay to see family and friends.
• Wash your hands to keep germs away.
• Tell people to stay home if they feel sick.
• Rest when you feel tired.

Tools to help:

• Use a calendar to plan visits when you feel good.
• Use video calls to talk to family and friends if you can't see them in person.

What if I can't go to a radiotherapy session?

If you miss a radiotherapy session, don't worry. Tell the doctor or nurse as soon as you can.

Things that can help:

• Write down your appointments on a calendar.
• Ask a friend or family member to remind you.
• Use alarms on your phone to remember.

How do I take care of my skin where I am getting treatment?

Here are some simple tips:

• Wash the skin gently with warm water and mild soap.
• Pat the skin dry with a soft towel. Do not rub it.
• Avoid using any creams or lotions that have strong smells or chemicals unless your doctor says it's okay.
• Wear soft, loose clothes to keep the skin from getting irritated.
• If you go outside, protect your skin from the sun.

If you have questions, you can ask your doctor or nurse for help.

Using a calendar can help you remember to take care of your skin every day.

Will I need to see the doctor again after my treatment?

Yes, you might need to see the doctor again after you finish your treatment. This is to make sure you are getting better.

Helpful Tips:

• Ask someone you trust to help you remember your appointments.
• Use a calendar or set reminders on your phone for your next visit.
• Bring a friend or family member to the appointment if you need support.

Can I do exercise when I am having radiotherapy?

It's good to move your body, even when having radiotherapy. Try these tips:

• Do simple exercises, like walking.
• Rest when you feel tired.
• Talk to your doctor about what is safe for you.