When you have radiation treatment for cancer, your body goes through some changes.

About 2 weeks after your first treatment:

• It may be hard to swallow, or swallowing may hurt.
• Your throat may feel dry or scratchy.
• You may develop a cough.
• Your skin over the treated area may turn red, start to peel, or get dark, or it may itch.
• Your body hair will fall out but ONLY in the area being treated. When your hair grows back, it may be different than before.
• You may develop a fever, more mucus when you cough, or feel more out of breath.

Skin Care

When you have radiation treatment, a health care provider draws colored markings on your skin. Do not remove them. These show where to aim the radiation. If they come off, do not redraw them. Tell your doctor if they come off. These must stay there until your treatments are done.

Take care of the treatment area:

• Wash gently with lukewarm water only. Do not scrub. Pat your skin dry.
• Do NOT use soaps. Do not use lotions, ointments, makeup, and perfumed powders, or other perfumed products on this area. Ask your doctor what is okay to use.
• Keep the area that is being treated out of the direct sun.
• Do not scratch or rub your skin.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you have any break or opening in your skin. Do not put heating pads or ice bags on the treatment area. Wear loose-fitting clothing.

Self-care

You need to eat enough protein and calories to keep your weight up. See also: Eating extra calories when you are sick - adults

Tips to make eating easier:

• Choose foods that you like.
• Serve foods with gravy, broths, or sauces to make them easier to chew and swallow.
• Eat small meals, and eat more often during the day.
• Cut your food into small pieces.
• Ask your doctor or dentist if artificial saliva might help you.

Drink at least 4 to 6 glasses of liquid each day (not including coffee or tea, or other drinks that have caffeine in them).

Ask your doctor about liquid food supplements. These can help you get enough calories.

Do not drink alcohol. It will bother your throat. Do not eat very spicy foods, acidic foods, or foods that are very hot or cold.

If pills are hard to swallow, try crushing them and mixing them with some ice cream or another soft food.

Watch out for these signs of edema (swelling) in your arm.

• You have a feeling of tightness in your arm.
• Rings on your fingers get tighter.
• Your arm feels weak.
• You have pain, aching, or heaviness in your arm.
• Your arm is red, swollen, or there are signs of infection.

See also: Lymphedema

Ask your doctor or nurse about exercises you can do to keep your arm moving freely.

Most people who get radiation treatment begin to feel tired after a few days. If you feel tired:

• Do not try to do too much in a day. You probably will not be able to do everything you are used to doing.
• Try to get more sleep at night. Rest during the day when you can.
• Take a few weeks off work, or work less.

Dry, Sore Throat, or Cough

Try using a humidifier or vaporizer in your bedroom or main living area. Do not smoke cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Do not chew tobacco.

Try sucking on sugarless mints and candy to add saliva to your mouth.

Mix one half teaspoon of salt and one quarter teaspoon of baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water. Gargle with this solution several times a day. Do not use store-bought mouthwashes or lozenges.

For a cough that does not go away:

• Ask your doctor or nurse which cough medicine is okay to use (it should have low alcohol content).
• Drink enough fluids to keep your mucus thin.

Follow-up care

Your doctor may check your blood counts regularly, especially if the radiation treatment area on your body is large.