There is a general patient information leaflet explaining what having the treatment involves, common side effects and some general information about the department. Specific information leaflets will provide more detail, specific to the type of treatment planned for you and how you can help yourself during and following treatment.
Radiotherapy patient leaflets
These are intended as a guide because the timing and effects of treatment may vary from one person to another. These leaflets will highlight the key points of the discussions you will have had with your doctor and treatment team. Your doctor will give you copies of these before you leave so that you can read them later or show them to your family and carer.
Consent
You will be asked to sign a consent form, which is a written record that you have agreed to the radiotherapy and that you give your permission to proceed with planning and treatment. It is important that you understand the information you have been given, and that you ask questions if you don't understand or if you want more information. You may withdraw your consent at any time.
Research
World class research is carried out in and across the Thames Valley. During your visit, you may be approached about clinical trials and research studies. If you would like further information, please ask your health care professional when you attend the appointment. Participation in research is voluntary. If you would like more information about radiotherapy research being conducted at our hospital, please ask your clinical oncologist.
Planning
When you have Radiotherapy, your treatment needs to be planned carefully and specifically for you. This:
- identifies the exact part of your body to be treated
- helps the doctors and radiographers work out the best position for you to lie in for your treatment
- is important to plan your radiotherapy specifically for you.
This may involve a few visits to the Radiotherapy Department before treatment starts. You may have treatment on the same day as planning, but usually it is necessary to come back another day to start your treatment, to allow the doctors, radiographers and physicists time to finalise your treatment plan.
Appointment list
The planning team will give you an appointment list, with your radiotherapy appointments.
When you start treatment you will receive a replacement list of appointments, which may include review appointments, with your doctor or nurse. These will be on the same day of your treatment. Make sure you book in for each treatment and each review appointment separately.
Important information
Pregnancy
Female patients (aged 12 to 55 years old) must be aware of the importance of not being or becoming pregnant at any time throughout a course of radiotherapy. Normally a pregnancy test is done at your pre-treatment appointment for confirmation.
Radiotherapy can cause a miscarriage or cause a child to be born with abnormalities. If you think you may be pregnant at any time during your treatment it is extremely important that you tell a member of staff immediately.
Pacemaker
If you have a pacemaker you should let the clinical oncologist and/or radiographers know. This does not stop you from having treatment, but you may need simple additional monitoring.
Smoking
Stopping smoking during and after radiotherapy is very worthwhile. Research has shown that smoking may make the radiotherapy less effective as well as increasing the side effects.
Stopping smoking or cutting down at such a stressful time can be very difficult. If you want help or advice you can talk to your specialist nurse, who will be able to suggest ways of stopping smoking. Organisations such as QUIT also offer advice and valuable support.