Home Health Centers Cancer Cancer Treatment Radiation Therapy

Cancer

Health Library Explorer
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us

If You Are Having Radiation Therapy

Questions for the healthcare provider

  • What's the goal of this treatment?

  • How will the radiation be given? Internal or external radiation?

  • Will I also need other treatment, like chemotherapy or surgery?

  • If so, in what order will the different treatments be given?

  • How many radiation treatments will I get? Over what period of time?

  • What happens if I have to miss a treatment?

  • Where will I get treatment?

  • When will radiation start? When will it end?

  • How will I feel during radiation?

  • How long will radiation take each day?

  • Will I be able to carry on my normal activities?

  • Will there be limits on what I can do, such as working or exercising?

  • How long does it take after the simulation scan to start treatment?

  • Do I need to be on a skin care regimen during treatment?

  • Can I drive myself to treatments or do I need someone to bring me?

  • What are the possible short-term and long-term side effects I should watch for? What side effects should I report? 

  • Are there late side effects I need to know about?

  • How long will it take me to recover from the side effects of treatment?

  • What are the chances treatment will work?

  • How will we know if it's working?

  • Are there any other treatment choices we should talk about? 

  • What can I do to get ready for treatment and to take care of myself during treatment?

  • Are there any clinical trials that I should think about?

  • Does my insurance cover the treatments? Do I have a copay?

  • Can I be near children or pets while getting radiation? 

  • Are there other types of radiation therapy that may work for my cancer? 

  • Does this center offer the latest technology or methods for radiation treatment? 

  • Have you and your team treated my kind of cancer before?

  • Should I get a second opinion?

  • May I use complementary or alternative therapies during radiation?

  • Can I take all my usual medicines during treatment?

  • Should I change my diet during radiation therapy?

  • Where can I learn more about radiation therapy?

Online Medical Reviewer: Akash D Parekh MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Jessica Gotwals RN BSN MPH
Online Medical Reviewer: Ronald Karlin MD
Date Last Reviewed: 6/1/2023
© 2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions.
Powered by StayWell
Copyright © The StayWell Company, LLC. except where otherwise noted.
About StayWell | Disclaimer | Terms of Use

Our web site is designed to provide general information to educate users about programs and services, which may be available through our hospitals. The web site is not intended to provide medical advice nor should the information be used to attempt to determine the presence, absence or severity of any illness or medical condition which may be perceived or experienced by the user of this site. If you have or suspect you may have an illness or condition which you believe requires medical attention, we recommend you call your primary care physician. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency please call "911" (or your local medical emergency number) or seek immediate care from the nearest hospital Emergency Department. The provision of information to users of this web site is not intended as an inducement or to otherwise influence a person's decision to order or receive any item or service from a particular provider, practitioner or supplier that is reimbursable under Medicare, a state healthcare program (e.g., AHCCS) or any other healthcare plan.

Physicians are members of the medical staff at each facility, but are independent contractors who are neither employees nor agents of Tenet Florida Coastal Division; and, as a result, Tenet Florida Coastal Division is not responsible for the actions of any of these physicians in their medical practices.