Life after radiation therapy

What to expect after treatment

For most people, the cancer experience doesn’t end on the last day of radiation therapy. It may be some time before you know whether the treatment has controlled the cancer. Radiation therapy usually does not have an immediate effect, and it could take days, weeks or months to see any change in the cancer. The cancer cells may keep dying, and side effects can continue, for weeks or months after the end of treatment.

After radiation therapy has finished, your treatment team will tell you how to look after the treatment area and recommend ways to manage side effects. They will also advise who to call if you have any concerns.

Life after cancer treatment can present its own challenges. You may have mixed feelings when treatment ends, and worry that every ache and pain means the cancer is coming back.

Some people say that they feel pressure to return to “normal life”. It is important to allow yourself time to adjust to the physical and emotional changes, and establish a new daily routine at your own pace. Your family and friends may also need time to adjust.

Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 can help you connect with other people who have had cancer, and provide you with information about the emotional and practical aspects of living well after cancer.

Dealing with feelings of sadness

If you have continued feelings of sadness, have trouble getting up in the morning or have lost motivation to do things that previously gave you pleasure, you may be experiencing depression. This is quite common among people who have had cancer.

Talk to your GP, because counselling or medication – even for a short time – may help. Some people can get a Medicare rebate for sessions with a psychologist. Cancer Council may also run a counselling program in your area.

For information about coping with depression and anxiety, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. For 24‑hour crisis support, call Lifeline 13 11 14.

Follow-up appointments

After treatment finishes, you will have regular check-ups to see how the cancer has responded to treatment. This may be in person
at the treatment centre or using telehealth. You may see the radiation oncologist, your GP or another specialist, depending on where you live and what the treatment team recommends. Check-ups will become less frequent over time.

You may also have follow-up appointments with nurses from your treatment centre to help manage any ongoing symptoms, as well as regular check-ups with other specialists who have been involved in your treatment.

When a follow-up appointment or test is approaching, many people find that they think more about the cancer and may feel anxious. Talk to your treatment team or call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 if you are finding it hard to manage this anxiety.

Contact your treatment team if you have any health problems between follow-up appointments. Many of the long-term or late effects of radiation therapy can be managed better if found early.