Radiotherapy - An easy read guide : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

	Radiotherapy is a treatment, which kills cancer cells inside your body.
	Radiotherapy is given by a big machine that moves around you.
	If you are having radiotherapy, you need to attend the hospital to see the doctor.
	Your doctor will explain the treatment and possible side effects and will ask to give your consent.

	Consent means you understand and agree to have the radiotherapy.
	If you are having treatment to your head and neck area, you will have a mask made. You will wear your mask for treatment.
	You will need to have a CT scan to help plan your radiotherapy treatment. It is very important to keep still for the scan.
	You may need to take some of your clothes off and wear a hospital gown for your scan and radiotherapy treatment.

	We may take a photograph of your face. We check the photograph every time you come for treatment to make sure we are treating the correct person.
	The people who do the CT scan and radiotherapy treatment are called radiographers.
	The radiographer will need to leave the room for up to 20 minutes during your CT scan.
	Radiographers can see and talk to you when you are alone in the room.

	If you are frightened at any point, raise your hand and the CT scan will be stopped.
	We will draw crosses on your skin before the scan. Afterwards we will give you a small permanent tattoo. It will be the size of a freckle.
	The tattoo dots help to position you correctly for treatment.
	You will be given an appointment sheet with date on which you will start your treatment. You can leave hospital after this.

	When you come for starting your radiotherapy treatment, you will see a radiographer who will tell you what will happen.
	You may have daily treatment, and this can take up to 30 minutes. It is very important to keep still during the whole treatment time.
	You will hear a loud beeping noise when everyone leaves the room.
	We can play music in the room if you like that.

Radiographers will be watching you and can talk to you during your treatment.

You may need to come back more than once for your Radiotherapy.

We will let you know how many times and when you need to come.

You may experience side effects which are things that happen because of the treatment.

Your doctor will tell you more about these side effects.

Some of the common side effects are listed below.

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Low Blood Count

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Feeling Tired

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Sore Skin

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Sore Throat

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Vomiting

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Feeling Sick

	Nurses will help you to manage your side effects
	Radiographers will also help you to manage your side effects.
	Tell us if you are worried or have any questions. We are here to help you.
	After finishing treatment, you will get an appointment by post to see a doctor about how you are doing.
	You may ring the number on the appointment letter for more information.