Why does radiotherapy make me tired

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Tell your team if the sickness does not improve. External beam radiotherapy can cause a skin reaction in the area being treated. If this happens, it usually begins after about 10 days. You may find your skin in the treatment area becomes red or darkens. It may also feel sore or itchy. Sometimes the skin gets very sore and it may blister, break or leak fluid. Very rarely, your team may stop treatment for a short time to allow a serious skin reaction to recover.

Skin reactions can take time to improve. They are usually better about 4 weeks after your treatment has finished. The area of skin may always look or feel slightly different to the surrounding skin. If your skin becomes sore or itchy or changes colour, let the radiotherapy team know as soon as possible. They can give you advice and treatments if needed.

When you finish radiotherapy, you should protect the skin in the treated area from strong sunshine for at least a year. Once any skin reaction has disappeared, use a suncream with a high SPF of at least Wear close-weave clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your head and neck area.

Remember, you can burn through clothing if you are out in hot sun for a long time. Your radiographer can give you more information about this. You can usually go swimming once any skin reaction has disappeared. Remember to use a waterproof suncream if you swim outdoors. Radiotherapy only causes hair loss in the treatment area. You may lose your hair where the radiation beam leaves your body as well as where it enters the body.

Ask your clinical oncologist or radiographer to show you exactly where your hair is likely to fall out. Hair may start to fall out 2 or 3 weeks into radiotherapy treatment. It usually grows back after treatment finishes.

Sometimes it grows back a different texture or colour than before. It may take several months to grow back, depending on the dose of radiotherapy you have. Rarely, hair does not grow back or is patchy. Your doctor or radiographer can tell you if this is likely with your treatment. If you are worried about losing the hair on your head, it may help to read our information about coping with hair loss.

Some treatments can reduce the number of normal blood cells produced by your bone marrow the spongy part inside some bones. This includes some types of radioisotope therapy. Sometimes, it can also happen with external beam radiotherapy , especially if you have chemotherapy at the same time. Your blood cell levels are unlikely to cause problems and they will improve after your treatment finishes.

Some people need treatment if the level of certain types of blood cells is too low. Your team will arrange any blood tests you need during and after your treatment.

Always tell your team if you have any bruising or bleeding that you cannot explain. This includes:. Before you decide to have cancer treatment, your team will explain your risk of developing these side effects. But unlike hair loss during chemotherapy, it only causes hair loss in the area being treated.

Ask your care team to show you exactly where your hair is likely to fall out. Your hair will usually start to fall out 2 to 3 weeks after treatment starts.

It should start to grow back a few weeks after treatment finishes, although sometimes it may be a slightly different texture or colour than it was before. Occasionally, hair loss can be permanent if you have a high dose of radiotherapy. Ask your doctor if this is a risk before starting treatment. Hair loss can be upsetting. Talk to your care team if you find losing your hair difficult to cope with. They understand how distressing it can be and can support you and discuss your options with you.

You may decide you want to wear a wig if you lose the hair on your head. Synthetic wigs are available free of charge on the NHS for some people, but you'll usually have to pay for a wig made from real hair.

Read advice about cancer and hair loss. Some people feel sick during, or for a short time after, radiotherapy treatment sessions. This is more likely to happen if the treatment area is near your stomach, or if your brain is being treated. Tell your care team if you feel sick during or after treatment. They can prescribe anti-sickness medicine to help. Macmillan has more information about managing sickness and vomiting. Radiotherapy to your head or neck can make the lining of your mouth sore and irritated.

This is known as mucositis. Symptoms tend to happen within a couple of weeks of treatment starting and can include:. Tell your care team if you have any of these problems. They may recommend painkillers or a special mouthwash that can help. Avoiding spicy, salty or sharp foods can also help. Mucositis usually gets better a few weeks after treatment finishes, although sometimes a dry mouth can be a long-term problem.

Feeling sick and tired during radiotherapy can make you lose your appetite, which could lead to weight loss. But it's important to try to eat healthily and maintain your weight during treatment. Tell your care team if you do not feel you're eating enough.

They may give you tips, such as eating frequent small meals instead of 3 large meals, or refer you to a dietitian. Radiotherapy to your chest can irritate your food pipe oesophagus which can temporarily make swallowing uncomfortable.

Tell your care team if this affects you, as you may need to make some changes to your diet, such as eating soft or liquid foods. You may also be prescribed medicine to reduce the discomfort and in a few cases you may need a temporary feeding tube. Read more about treatments for swallowing problems. Diarrhoea is a common side effect of radiotherapy to the tummy or pelvic area.

It usually starts a few days after treatment begins and may get a bit worse as treatment continues.