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Radiotherapy is the use of high energy rays to kill cancer cells and could cure the prostate cancer condition if treatment is given whilst the cancer is still in the prostate capsule. The target site will not only be the prostate but also the lymph nodes which lie close to the prostate. Cancer cells are more sensitive to the treatment than normal cells so the radiotherapy kills them. You can expect a daily treatment lasting over a period of some six weeks, so you will need to travel daily to your hospital, although you will get breaks at weekends. Show an interest from the beginning. Find out what the ‘dose’ is you will be getting, ask to see how this is set up on the machine.

The treatment is painless. Many men experience virtually no side effects whilst they are having their treatment. Those that do mention tiredness, nausea, some diarrhoea, bladder instability and hair loss in the general area of the treatment. There is also a 25% chance you will become impotent over time and some patients develop radiation cystitis. If you feel tired, plan to take things a little easier for the period of your treatment. If you are still at work see if you can temporarily reduce your work hours.

Some men feel nauseous at the beginning of the treatment, there are many techniques to help you. Physco-therapists can teach you to overcome your feelings, relaxation methods which can allow you to set aside the nausea and of course acupuncture should be given some consideration. If these techniques fail your GP may prescribe a drug to help.

Before you decide on this or any other treatment option you need to ensure that you have all the current information. If you cannot obtain it from another source we suggest you buy the book 'Prostate Cancer' and subscribe to the PHA Newsletters.