Radiation Therapy to the Head and Neck

Cancer and its treatment can lead to depression or anxiety.

Depression is when you feel sad for a long time, making it hard to live your life. Anxiety is when you often feel worry, fear or are nervous.

Cancer and its treatment can change how you look and the way you feel about your body. You may be worried about how others see you. This can affect your relationships.

Radiation therapy kills cancer cells and can stop them from going to other parts of your body. You may have side effects (changes) where your body is being treated.

Radiation side effects can:

• Start part way through your treatment
• Stop a few weeks after your treatment ends

If you have any side effects, or need to ask a question, talk to one of your health care team members:

• Doctor
• Nurse
• Radiation Therapist
• Dietitian

Radiation passes through your skin.  Your skin may feel:

• warm
• itchy
• look red (like a sunburn)

When you start your radiation:

• Don’t use any creams or powders unless told to by your Radiation team
• Wash the area gently with a mild soap
• Cover the area during very cold weather and from the sun
• If you need to shave, use an electric razor
• Don’t use aftershave, cologne or perfume

Radiation will cause your mouth to make less saliva (spit).  Your mouth may feel dry or sore and the taste of your food may change.

You may also get a thrush infection (creamy white, raised patches in your mouth).

Your cancer or radiation treatment can make it hard or painful to swallow. This can lead to weight loss if you cannot eat your normal amounts.

Fatigue (being tired) is the most common side effect people with cancer feel. This is normal. Fatigue can become worse during radiation therapy. You may feel weak or have low interest in daily tasks.

• Get a copy of a Symptom Management Guide in the J. Wesley Graham Patient & Family Resource Centre.
• ‘How to Manage your Shortness of Breath’
• ‘How to Manage your Loss of Appetite’
• ‘Coping with Difficulty Swallowing and Pain with Eating’
• ‘Skin Care During Radiation Therapy’
• ‘How to Manage Your Fatigue’
• ‘How to Manage your Depression’
• ‘How to Manage your Anxiety’
• ‘Cancer Intimacy and Sex’

Use this resource for your information only. It does not replace medical advice from your doctor or other healthcare professionals. 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: www.cancerwaterloowellington.ca