How to Learn Side Effects of Radiation Therapy

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By pepper0617
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Cancer Survivor

There are side effects to radiation treatment therapy. It's best to look ahead before you have the procedure. While getting diseased tissues that are affected, it is possible for normal tissues to get hit as well. Side effects of radiation treatment are usually temporary, and in the treatment areas only.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Support of Family and Friends
Good Doctors

Step 1

Blood Testing

Side effects can last a few days, up to several weeks to years after treatment. Some effects won’t show up for several months. Having weak immune systems because of cancer it isn’t protecting like it normally would.
Step 2

Fatigue is the most common side effect. It could be for a combination of reasons anemia, weak immune system, diet, chemotherapy, or pain medicine. Sometimes a light exercise program will help during radiation treatment cancer.
Step 3

Reaction to radiation treatment is seen on the skin the most, that is because it affects the skin pigments that make new cells. It depends on the person on how red, dry, itchy, and how sensitive your skin is. To some people it is more like a skin burn or sunburn with dry skin peeling,lasting for several weeks. The skin is discolored and dark in appearance.
Step 4

Using a skin moisturizer or skin lotion for dry skin care is recommended, with aloe or natural vitamins. Avoid perfumes, deodorants, and skin lotions containing alcohol or perfumes. Try to protect your skin as much as possible from the sun. Peeling moist areas may appear later, keep skin dry. The skin may also thin due to treatment from radiation.
Step 5

If the radiation treatment for cancer is done around the head area, there may be inflammation inside the mouth. A dry mouth or temporary loss of taste also may occur. It may cause memory loss or confusion as well.
Step 6

Radiation in the lung area can cause chest problems. It can cause shortness of breath, coughing or swallowing. It can cause less tolerance to any physical exercise.
Step 7

Radiation Equipment

Radiation therapy can affect any body organs and fertility too. Although, radiation treatment is better now concentrating more with more precision on the cancer treatment area. Any concerns should be weighed out by the benefits, and taken into consideration for total cancer treatment. What works well for one person doesn’t for another.