Advice following radiotherapy

What can I expect when my treatment finishes?

You may find that for a few weeks after your treatment has finished some side effects may get a little worse before starting to get better. Any side effects that occur during or shortly after radiotherapy should be temporary. The time taken for these effects to settle can vary from one person to another. This leaflet contains some advice about early side effects (those that occur during or shortly after radiotherapy) that you may experience in the weeks after you complete radiotherapy and some information for after you have completed your radiotherapy treatment.

Fatigue

Tiredness can often peak a few weeks after treatment has completed and it may take some time for your energy levels to recover after treatment. You may find that you have less energy to do the things that you would normally do in the weeks following radiotherapy. This can be quite variable, ranging from none at all to extremely tired. Sometimes fatigue can persist for months, though this is not common, and you may continue to have times where some days it is worse than others. Light exercise, good nutrition and increasing your fluid intake will help in the management of fatigue.

Skincare after treatment

Changes to the skin often peak a couple of weeks after treatment has finished but can vary from person to person and the area of the body treated. We would suggest that you continue to follow the skincare advice you were given for radiotherapy for some time as it may take a few weeks for the skin changes to settle.

Most people will experience only mild skin changes but sometimes the skin can look quite red and feel sore. Some people may have no skin changes at all. The skin can feel itchy and flake, similar to the appearance following sunburn. You can continue to apply a moisturiser of your choice until your skin changes settle. It may be advisable to avoid highly perfumed moisturisers and use a moisturiser that is sodium lauryl sulphate low/ free. We suggest products such as Epimax cream or similar.

Very occasionally, some skin within the treated area may blister or become broken towards the end or after you have completed radiotherapy. This is called moist desquamation. Though this may be uncomfortable, and may be sore at the time, the broken skin heals, and the skin changes should settle down. If you do develop broken skin after completing radiotherapy, it is advisable to see your GP or Practice Nurse and take this information sheet with you as you may require different cream or dressings for moist areas. If you require any further advice about radiotherapy skin care, you can contact the Radiotherapy Department (please see useful contact numbers below). It is important to avoid excessive exposure of the skin to sun at all times but particularly in the first year after your radiotherapy treatment has finished. Use a high factor sunblock (at least SPF50) as your skin will be sensitive to the sun. Sun beds should be avoided.

It is fine to go swimming both during and following radiotherapy, while you still have some changes to your skin, however this is not advisable if you have broken skin.

Skincare information for GP/ nurse

Some information about the management of radiation induced skin reactions which may be helpful is accessible to your GP or nurse via CUH GP Portal on the Addenbrooke’s Hospital website.

Emotional issues

Feelings such as fear, sadness, anger, and helplessness are some of the more common emotions experienced by a person when they are faced with a diagnosis of cancer. It is not uncommon for these feelings to continue and sometimes get worse after treatment.

At times these feelings can become more persistent and can start to effect daily living, general mood and close relationships.

You may find it helpful to talk to a member of the team looking after your care and their contact details are normally on the top of any letters you receive from them. Another person to talk to is your GP who will be able to tell you about local support and information sources.

Other symptoms

Side effects can vary and will depend on the area that is being treated. If, when you have finished your treatment, you develop a new symptom or have questions then you should either see your GP for advice or contact the team looking after you.

Follow up

Most patients will be seen or telephoned at least once following their radiotherapy. This appointment is likely to be at the hospital you usually attend. If you do not receive notification of your follow up appointment within a few weeks of completing radiotherapy or if have any questions about your own follow up, please contact your key worker or a member of the team looking after your care.

Useful contact numbers

Radiotherapy reception: 01223 216634 Monday to Friday, 08:00 (8am) to 18:00 (6pm)
Cancer support services 01223274801
Email our information support line

Support information

There are plenty of support services available to you during this journey. These are available either as face-to-face, a telephone call or online. It is important that you review what is available and consider what is appropriate to you. You may not feel that you need any extra support but is important to know that you are able to contact these services at any point after you finish treatment.

The Maggie’s Centre in Cambridge

Maggie’s are a charity run support and information centre for people diagnosed with cancer. They offer a range of freely available services that may assist you with your journey. They are available to help manage emotions, manage practicalities and assist in the management of symptoms and side-effects. For further information please visit their website www.maggies.org or give them a call on 01223 249220 Monday to Friday, 09:00 (9am) to 17:00 (5pm).

You can visit them at:

Maggie's Cambridge
Addenbrooke's Hospital
21 Milton House, Puddicombe Way
Cambridge CB2 0AD

or email Maggies to enquire about how they could help you.

If you would like a bit more information or an example schedule to highlight what is on offer, then please ask your advanced clinical practitioner or the treatment radiographers.

Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Services ('The Pod')

The Pod is located within the Oncology Department. This is a drop-in service, so no appointment is necessary, and they are available to offer support, advice and guidance to anyone affected by cancer. This service can help give advice and guidance with grant applications and referral and signposting to benefits advice.

Online websites

Macmillan Cancer Support (opens in a new tab)
Cancer Research UK (opens in a new tab)

Mobile apps

Sleepio – for poor sleep and insomnia, addresses unique needs with a personalised programme, featuring sessions with step-by-step guidance through evidence-based techniques, available night or day. In a clinical trial, 76% of patients experienced improvement in their sleep. Visit the Sleepio website. (opens in a new tab)

Daylight – for worry and anxiety, helps people gain control over their anxiety with personalised therapeutic content. Its available when it's needed the most, providing you with evidence-based techniques to cope in the moment. In a clinical trial, 71% patients experienced reductions in anxiety. Visit the Daylight website. (opens in a new tab)

Rehabilitation and Exercise during Addenbrooke's Cancer Treatment (REACT)

REACT is a service that is freely available to all patients undergoing cancer treatment at Addenbrooke's. It is led by a specialist team of physiotherapists and cancer exercise specialists.

The programme offers supervised exercise opportunities for patients and aims to keep patients physically active throughout their cancer journey. It can also reduce the likelihood and severity of side effects associated with cancer treatments.

REACT includes individual exercise assessments and exercise counselling, group cardiovascular circuit style classes, standalone education sessions and short course to include:

• Breast Cancer Recovery
• Lymphoedema Prevention
• Boost your Bones (exercise for healthy bones)
• Strength and Balance
• Pilates
• Tai Chi
• Yoga
• Zumba
• Nordic walking/ outdoor exercise

To find out more information about this service, please speak to the breast care nurses or advanced clinical practitioner who can place a referral for you.

Support closer to home

This can be accessed via your GP service, who can support you directly or, if appropriate, put you in touch with your district nursing team and/or community Macmillan Nurse. You may already be in touch with these teams.

Repeat prescriptions

Medication that you need after treatment will be provided by your GP service.

How to get involved

We believe that involving patients and carers can help us improve the services we provide.

There are many ways that you can get involved and help us improve the services we provide. For further information you can visit our CUH website to read more about the following:

• patient and carer user groups
• cancer participation group
• MyChart stakeholder group
• outpatient experience group
• Reader Panel – patient information
• the CUH PPI panel

Just want to say thank you? How you can support Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals

In our busy hospitals, our dedicated staff do amazing things every day. Of course, they never expect thanks, but we know that many patients want to express their gratitude for the wonderful care they have received.

Here are five ways to do just that.

Make sure great work gets recognised

Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) would be delighted to receive your thanks for a job well done and will share your feedback with the staff involved.
01223 216756 Monday to Friday, 12:00 (noon) to 16:00 (4pm)

Email PALS

You can help us make Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals even better

Did you know we have our own charity, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (opens in a new tab) ? Whether you can donate, fundraise, or volunteer your time, you can help change and save lives every day.
01223 217757

Email ACT

Staff awards

Nominate an individual or a team for our monthly You Made a Difference Award, a little public recognition goes a long way.
01223 274775

Email You Made a Difference

Become a member of the Foundation Trust

Become a member of the Foundation Trust and have your say about the issues that matter to you and help shape the future of patient care at Addenbrooke’s.
01223 216756
Email CUH Foundation

Become a hospital volunteer

Our volunteers (opens in a new tab) occupy a special place in our hearts. If you have time to give, there’s a volunteer role for you.
01223 586616

Email CUH Volunteers