CANCER TREATMENTS: RADIOTHERAPY
Treatment with radiation has been used in gynecological cancers for more than 100 years. Radiation works by destroying the chromosomes inside cells thereby preventing the cell from dividing and growing. Unfortunately, the radiation beam often passes through normal tissue so that side effects can occur. However the side effects depend on what other organs are in the immediate area being radiated. Side-effects can include cystitis when the bladder is affected resulting in burning when passing water and often having to urinate frequently. Likewise, the rectum can become inflamed, diarrhea can occur and occasionally bleeding from the back passage.
If the woman is pre-menopausal then the ovaries may be in the way of the radiation beam and will stop producing hormones. The radiation specialist will discuss possible side effects with each patient and ways that they can be reduced. It should be noted that many of these side-effects can be long lasting and may require counseling to help you to adjust to your sense of loss and the changes in your lifestyle. It also requires sensitive support and understanding by your carer or partner, especially if you are a young woman yet to form a permanent partnership and family. Radiation to the vulva will cause skin changes, but it is rare for other sites to change.
It is important to ask how long the side effects usually last so that at least when you are at the mid-point of treatment you have a sense of when it will finish.
I did go into instant menopause after radiotherapy, but as I had no intention of having a child I was not concerned about the loss of fertility. I was really relieved never to have a period again. I haven’t had any mood swings-just the hot flushes. I’m on HRT because of osteoporosis later. It keeps me sexually active. The six and a half weeks of radiotherapy left surface burns and scars almost like bicycle shorts, just waist down to my thighs. It’s all healed up now. It started off like sunburn, which got worse and worse.
When I was given that six weeks time span I thought ‘Oh good, then there’s a light at the end of this tunnel.’ So I didn’t feel that bad if they would have said it would be three months before they heal. I might have been depressed.
So it was important knowing that each thing was a finite span.
Lillian
*27/144/5*
