This treatment uses radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors at a specific site. It is considered the least invasive of cancer treatment options. This is often the last step in your regiment, if it’s needed at all. If and when you should have radiotherapy depends on a myriad of factors. For example, in treating breast cancer, you and your doctors may have opted for a lumpectomy (removing the cancerous lump only) instead of a full mastectomy. Because the remaining breast tissue might have cancer cells, the treatment of radiotherapy would allow doctors to target that specific area of concern.
Radiotherapy is not known to cause nausea or to greatly weaken the immune system. But in cases where radiation is applied to the entire body, thereby soaking into the bone marrow, the counts of your white blood cell counts will decrease. You should be on high alert to prevent getting sick. Follow the same clean habits as during chemotherapy.
Recovery
Six months to a year after diagnosis, you will most likely be finished with treatments. It’s time to celebrate. Go on a trip, start a dream project: a garden, watercolor, kayaking. Your body will recover to its full speed and you will get your life back.
Two months after the last chemotherapy session, fuzz will appear, if you’ve lost hair at all. By now you should able to resume your exercise and work routines.Six months after the last treatment, you will be seeing your oncologist and other doctors only once or twice a year.
A year after treatment, you might be so engrossed into your “normal” life that you forget you had cancer. Well, not completely forget, but half of your day might be without a thought of illness.
Three years after treatment, you might only remember when you happen to look at your scar or breast reconstruction.
Five years after treatment, you might be declared cancer free. Congratulations!