Radiotherapy Urdu Cancer Backup Uk

Urdu

( ‚:8im Cancerbackup Factsheet S &k ‘ c + u+Ï*

URDU URDU

8´ÅE

D6 Radiotherapy K  > ŒÅ4~žÅE

D K

> ŒÅ 8´ÅE

DŸ:5’ 8xV% K % s­ n; 1;k ‘aZD  6uLiS 8 Ili > ŒœmU O83 8´ÅE

D6u # K i* 6u # <+¸IS NDa€ŸD 8 8mT'8 œH8 u +m ·(VS} ·( Ÿ;iB [\/J¥G ©{* % 86u [D )c4~V/m6 ×'x†u # <Í  {* DDW87 ˜ (8©

#  U ×8ÅMiS 8V DvU x6u # ¥S 8D œLiœ DW8 li gœ ) X’ E FS×¥=aliU œDW8¼ ’a^ <1 + Í  8DW8×w’iNWf °Å[D sDX’ E FÅTŠ7 8 E Ò8V³x<%  ŀ– iÅXW´} 8Su ×I CiD 8Ac zƀ S Su  ·i8DD iT8 B v  ’ ¦, B’}  ’D 8 /8iY  jµD [ Cx S 86 × ·cFi[ Cx DW8 [ Cx4µD6 ×V jµD N

¨¸ 7 ˜ (8ZXW’©X u16 ×0 FjVWÍ/i¨ 4D’}  ’D 87 8 E Ò8jµD [ CxS 86 aa4¥ZXW’©X u1 *;( 1am6u # <E ’U œmŸj µD [Cx6 ×0 F 6u &<[’ Dv^> ŒV/ 8´ÅE

DŸ4·‰Å u K "u + 8´ÅE

D K

,- (1 7 8E Ò8mx' n)

D T'84v žDWƒ K hˆ> ŒœmÅ 8´ÅE

D K Ò8T—“£u # <+Å [D †# 6 o(M* &;)VW´Å´Ÿ7 8 E , ÄA1 8´ÅE

DTJÅ86 x<+T'8Å8 K ^7u &F 8

8 : 8 ^H8©PhV6u &i ›Ÿ 6u # <E ’a {( mWD

8D U/6 ×s 8´ÅE

D mW½Å8 @iH8DW8  u &@iciZ8V u  K ·<[’ ¸ÅimW½S 8 8´ÅE

D K 8 K /Ï* D

8H8 E ’  S jµDŸµu # < <ÅU  D C HDµ Z’ k  D †# Ç+

D 8´ÅE

D mWD K

86u &
D K 1 Z’  k ÅE 6u &<[’ DvS 8 E aAca 6 k ÅE

D6u &
D4E K ibD :5´8 B6ÈiO " ´8 B 8´ÅE

D K

* ¼ˆ ( 8Ÿ> Œ:5 S 8´ K

D E  ´8 Bi 8Wli > ŒœmÅ —‰ wW8 ¨Ì*

6 × w ’ Á8}  K

DS 8 > Œ6È’98£ œ;f8µ:5DW8Èi;  > Œ:5%

i[µÙc > Œ:5

c[µÙI> Œ:5} 86u & mi[µÙ¿D :?µIÑS×'X’ ZD‡> Œ 8´ÅE

DÑ K

†Q×s^¶ i[ \ 8Ÿ:5“u <µ¸VœH86;DWgc²E S Z8“u <VµœH8 ³;DWg

‡W’ E 8 IÄP8DW8u]s 8S S 8 œ > ŒÅE

D [µÙc > Œ6u # K 5U œK C²E Z8 œ4¥Œ^¶6Z  6 ×0 F l¸ )TJV8DW’

1

Cancerbackup Factsheet

URDU URDU Urdu

RADIOTHERAPY This factsheet gives you information about Radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is a treatment that is used to treat certain types of cancer. It is also sometimes used to control the symptoms of cancer.

What is cancer? The organs and tissues of the body are made up of tiny building blocks called cells. Cancer is a disease of these cells. Although cells in each part of the body may look and work differently, most repair and reproduce themselves in the same way. Normally this takes place in an orderly and controlled way, but if the process gets out of control the cells will divide much more rapidly than normal cells and will form a lump which is called a tumour. Tumours can be either benign or malignant. A benign tumour can grow and cause problems by pressing on nearby structures but it cannot spread to other parts of the body. The cells of a malignant tumour can spread and destroy surrounding tissues. They can also spread to other parts of the body. Cancer is the name given to a malignant tumour. Many people with cancer will have radiotherapy as part of their treatment.

What is radiotherapy? Radiotherapy treats cancer by using high-energy rays (radiation) which destroy the cancer cells, while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells. It only affects cells in the part of the body to which it is given. It is given in the radiotherapy department at the hospital. Radiotherapy can be given from an external machine (similar to an x-ray machine) and is then known as external radiotherapy. Sometimes internal radiotherapy is used. Internal radiotherapy can be given either by placing radioactive (translation in brackets) material known as a source, close to, or inside, the tumour, or by giving a radioactive liquid. The radioactive liquid is either given as a drink or as an injection into a vein. Your treatment will be planned by a clinical oncologist or radiotherapist: a doctor that specialises in radiotherapy treatment. The doctor will be able to discuss the treatment with you and answer any questions you may have. The treatment will be given by a radiographer. Planning your treatment Some treatments are very simple, but others may need careful planning beforehand. If your type of treatment does need some preparation this may mean having some x-rays or scans. It may also mean that you may have a session lying under a large machine called a simulator. The simulator takes special x-rays or scans of the area to be treated. Treatment planning is a very important part of radiotherapy and it may take several visits over a week or two before the planning is complete. It is a good idea to take someone with you who speaks both your language and English, when you first go for radiotherapy. Interpreters may also be available if you need one. If you are having external radiotherapy, marks will be made on your skin to show the radiographer where the rays are to be directed. The marks will be made using inks that will show up on your skin. Some of these marks may be permanent. If you would prefer not to have permanent marks, please discuss this with your radiotherapist.

1

»y)F, Â} 7, ]gz¢Ã\W¤ /ZXƒYw1~ m, ôZgzZy!* iÅ\W ǃ4** YáB‚ÿ,Z ËÂN YfÆ8ZÁðc* +giŠ «\WZ i #

{¾ÆŸÃVƒ Ãn^ØÃ ÛZ¤ / -i +g @* ÐN YñÎy¶ K6, ŸÆ\W Âì „gƒ8 ZÁðc* +g ãzÛ5 W¤ i /ZXì YƒnzÈÌ 7y¶ K6, gîx\W¤ /ZX g6, gîxh + áy¶ K ¼Ð~yZX D YñÎЄ(à ZzäWÃ6, gîVc* úy¶ K tXì ´gŠzöJ -

X <]!* Ð=ZÁðc* +g ã!* i $ñZ' , ÂT e 8ZÁðc* +g ãzÛ i

c* Î6, {{ W, OÐã)g fÆáq -ZÃVƒ Ã}8Zgz‰ ܤXì @* Yc* Š~]gßÅŸÆ` ´¿q -Z: Zizg6, gîx ¬8 ZÁðc* +g ãzÛ i NÐg ZñÎ6, ÆãðZ’Zpì«6, ,‚gzZi§Åãg ZlÅ ` ´Xì @* ^ Yc* Š fÆx Zg WhZq -zgzZì @* ƒJ -îœ.9E gîx ¬` ´tXì @* Y ~}g !* Æ]Z W, ZtËÆkZgzZ ` ´ËZ eÆ\WX ǃfÆ]æÅ4{gGÐkŠ µñC Ù» ` ´kZXì YƒJ -ßFkgÃt» ` ´ XÐ,™]!* Ð\ W

4&^ ƒ Wh F 4hIG + á + WfÆkZ ƒ„g Y~Š8ZÁðc* +g fÆŠgŠ 61ËÃ\W¤ i /Z ÅäWiŠ „q -ZsÜ~( ƾ ZŠÆwh%) ïHE X} 7, ]gz¢

\WyZgzŠÆ¿ðc* +gX Ç}Š tÐj§{Šx Zg Wq i -Z\WÃ~i Z0 +Z/£B‚Æo ôZ6, _Ã\W ÛZ¤ / -i +gÏñYÅ8 ZÁðc* +gÌZ i # XÐVƒìg™ ãZôÅ\WÐ} #á ZzB‚ ÔÐÙ]!* Ð ÛZ¤ / -i +g\WpÐVƒ! Z~} #

X <]!* !Ð` ´Ð ÛZ¤ / -i +g c*ËZ e LZ~ekZ ã!* $ñZ' , XÐ,™I— CJ eÐgŠ eq -ZßLZ\Wh + á §{Åg ‡zÆ\W E(N G B-;XF F +g i ~ŸÆ\WˆÆ` ´Xì @* 7, xg(q -ZŒ%fÆ4PÃ\WyZgzŠÆäYØŠÆkZpö 71 ðÃÐ8 ZÁðc*

X M hïÔï áÌa~XÔB‚ÆVzuzŠ\WgzZ ǃ760 +Z ðû ( Á Z-i +g ) ~g •@*

ä™wEZ7Z fkZì Y™Za ¡h +' ×wEZ »}4. $g e-e c* *™Ô0™g ZŠ-yZgzŠÆ` ´X ,™kCŠgŠ −h + á\W~{{Š™ ` ´ »¼ì eèYB™]!* ~}g !* ÆwEZÆD™wEZ6, gîx ¬\W Y âZ +ZÐk3, c* ÛZ¤  / -i +g\W ǃ4tÉ X < m, / ¤ Ð +g '™^ÐWÌ~ó** i |kZXƒ:ƒ  owEZ X ˆÅyÒI Z F, æWg »¼~{Æ'æÐ8 ZÁðc* 2

External radiotherapy External radiotherapy is normally given as a series of short daily treatments. High energy xrays are directed from a machine at the area of the cancer. The treatments are usually given from Monday to Friday, with a rest at the weekend. The number of treatments will depend on the type and size of the cancer but the whole course of treatment for early cancer may last a few weeks. Each treatment takes from 10 to 15 minutes. Your doctor will discuss the treatment and possible side effects with you. Sometimes, if radiotherapy is being used to ease an unpleasant symptom, like pain, you may need only one treatment with a single visit as an out-patient. Before each session of radiotherapy the radiographer will position you carefully on the couch and make sure that you are comfortable. During your treatment you will be left alone in the room, but you will be able to talk to the radiographer who will be watching you carefully from the next room.

To maintain your dignity, you may want to be covered by a sheet or a robe. Please discuss this with the doctor or radiographer before you start treatment. Radiotherapy is not painful but you do have to lie still for a few minutes while your treatment is being given. The treatment will not make you radioactive and it is perfectly safe for you to be with other people, including children, after your treatment. Your skin may become sore in the area being treated. Perfumed soaps, creams or deodorants may irritate the skin and should not be used during the treatment. It is a good idea to ask the radiographer or nurse about any products or oils that you may normally use to wash the area being treated with radiotherapy, as some may not be recommended. Some useful tips are also provided under ‘Coping with radiotherapy’ later in this factsheet.

Internal radiotherapy Internal radiotherapy can be given by putting radioactive material into the tumour itself and this is known as brachytherapy. Sometimes the treatment is given by putting wires into the tumour. These are then removed after a few days. Sometimes the radioactive metal is left in the tumour permanently. The radioactivity decreases quickly and you can carry on a normal life during this time. Another type of brachytherapy uses small, hollow, plastic tubes that are inserted into the tumour during an operation. If the tumour is in the womb, cervix or vagina the plastic tubes

2

8 ZÁðc* +g ãzg0 i +Z PQtXì @* YH™ Î,g @* ~àÎg ` ´tLX ë8 ZÁO ' , ÐZgzZÔì $ ËYÅ™Ägg0 +ZÆà ÎgÃ}Š âg •@* Ë8 ZÁðc* +g ãzg0 i +Z

™i ¸W{g !* zŠ »Ï0 + iÅw©\WyZgzŠ kZgzZì CYƒÁ„¢~g •@* Xì @* Yc* Š hg6, gîx~àÎgÃ]JŠg •@* bX CYà wïˆV⊠@

X M h

5;X&Ô ãZŠ^à Îg¤ /ZXì CYÅ™wZ e~àÎgyZgzŠÆc6, Wq -ZÃVSà{ÏKgÅ8ö8 ZÁO ' , ÅngzZq -Z ÿE Å8ötƒ~3g c* 5;X&V V1Í ( g •@* )Á Z- i +g KgKgÅ]JŠ)g fÆVSyZì @* Yc* ÎB‚Æáò ** yZ!QÃVSyZX ÏN YðÎ~ ÿE

ƒ÷¡~}g !* Æ` ´Æi§kZÆ8 ZÁðc* +gÃ\W¤ i /ZXì @* Yc* Ñ:Zz~áÃVCÍÁ Z-i +gˆÆ` ´X CàJ -{/£

X <]!* !ÐËZ e LZ ã!* $ñZ' ,

Xì $ ËY~Š Ì™ ÎqQc* 6, gîÆù â q -Z fÆÅ W8 ZÁðc* +g ãzg0 i +Zg [L XÐ,™]!* Ð\W( Ý Æ\WfÆm, ?Å ` ´+F,  ofÆ\W ƒ ù â ~g •@* Qc* @* Y17wï{Š âg •@* ПÆ\WJ -Z # Ç} 7, xg fÆyŠP~whÃ\W Âσ8 ZÁðc* +g ãzg0 i +Z Å\WZ #

X @* Yƒ7ùŸ

g ZŠ¸ggzZŠ Z ÛZÆpX ÇñYHx OZ »I Z F, õ™PgzZ ÇñY3g~} #{Š ´q -ZÃ\WfÆäXÐ~g •@* ~gz¢)ÃVÍß}uzŠ

ƒÐzzÅŠzugzZx ZŠZõ™yZX σ7]i YZ ÅäYk0* Æ\WÃV”gzZVÂgúnqX M hIk0* Æ\WfÆ]æŠzöq -ZsÜ ~}g !* ÆkZÃpä} .Â,™kC(Z\W¤ /ZX VƒvßRŒ Û k0* Æ\WVƒT e\W²,™kCã.6, c* spÔ ðË\Wì Y ]NgzZŠ ZñfÆ"7, /4E H4h±fÆ õE B‚LZX N Cgz¢ ù âg •@* c* -äÎÃ]JŠ Å~g •@* J sÜÏu´X ǃ" $U* æWg »Ì** Yá{)z ïG

X ǃpôÇ!* ** ƒd $Œ Û ÆVzuzŠ »\WˆÆäYƒù ŸÆW, ZÆù âg •@* c* % ïÃ]JŠ Å~g •@*X σJ -äƒù ŸÆW, ZÆ ]Z W, Zt

Z]Z W, ZtÆ8 ZÁðc* +gXì ;gƒ` ´»{ÐyÃÆŸì @* i ƒ«Ì6, kZgzZDƒZ]Z W, ZtÆ8 ZÁðc* +gÅx lZZ i X J}gŠ~¼gzZDƒ¯]Z W, Zt~VÍß¼X D Yñ0* Z~VÍß

G;XE (N\WyZgzŠÆ` ´Æ8 ZÁðc* +gXìÐ~]Z W, i Zx ¬q -Z~ ~gz¢tX Ïìg „, ZJ -ˆ²¼Æ` ´tgzZÐ,™kC~ï X} 7, ** ™g (Z^MizgC ÙfÆ` ´Ã\W¤ /Z6, gîm{<x Zg WnƒeA\Wì

D¤ / ~]gßÏZsÜw!* Ð8 ZÁðc* +gXì YƒkCŠgŠ~¢Xì @* i YW8 -g Z c* qçaNâÅ{{Š™ ` ´6, gîx ¬8 ZÁðc* +g i X ñY~Š8 ZÁðc* +gÃà ÎgÅ r â ŠÆ\WZ i # Ð,¤ /A $sÜw!* ÐuÆ\W6, gîÆwVX ñYc* ŠÃ{á ZzVß !* ÐZZ # X M hƒkCÃ\Wì $ Ë™ G é5;X&N]â ¥~}g !* Æ]Z W, Zt}uzŠyQ~y!* i ~ m, ôZÃ\W\Zàã 3

will be placed into the vagina. The tubes are then attached to a machine called a Selectron, which feeds tiny radioactive metal balls into the tubes to deliver the radiotherapy to the area. After the treatment, the radioactive balls go back into the machine and the hollow tubes are removed. If you have any concerns or worries about having radiotherapy in this way, please discuss them with your doctor before agreeing to have treatment. Sometimes internal radiotherapy is given as a liquid drink, or as a fluid given into the vein. Your specialist will discuss your particular treatment with you. When you have internal radiotherapy, you may need to stay in hospital for a few days until the radioactive material has been removed from your body, or until the radioactive liquid has gone from your body. Due to the possibility of other people being exposed unnecessarily to the radiation, you may need to be looked after in a single room and certain safety measures may need to be followed. Staff and relatives may only spend a limited time with you, and pregnant women or children will not be allowed to visit. The safety measures and visiting restrictions might make you feel very isolated, frightened and depressed at a time when you might want people around you. If you have these feelings it is important that you let the staff looking after you know. It might also be helpful to take in things to keep you occupied whilst you are in isolation, such as reading material or tapes to listen to. The isolation only lasts while the radioactive metal is in place, or the radioactivity from the liquid is still present. Once the radioactive material has been removed or the liquid has gone from your body, you are no longer radioactive and it is perfectly safe to be with other people.

Side effects The side effects of radiotherapy will vary according to the type of radiotherapy being given and which part of the body it is treating. Radiotherapy affects people in different ways, and for some people the side effects will be mild while for others they may be more severe. One common side effect of treatment is tiredness. You may feel very tired while you are having radiotherapy and for some time afterwards. It is important to get as much rest as you can, especially if you have to travel a long way for treatment each day. Radiotherapy usually makes the skin in the treated area darker or reddened. It may make the skin sore. Radiotherapy will only cause hair loss if it is given to a party of body that has hair. For example, you will only lose the hair on your head if radiotherapy is given to treat a brain tumour. Cancerbackup can provide you with information in English on other side effects that you may experience.

Coping with radiotherapy The following tips can help you to cope with radiotherapy. • • • •

If you are tired, allow yourself to rest and plan your day so that you do not overdo things. Try to maintain a healthy diet. You may need to eat little and often and snack during the day. Very spicy foods, such as chillies, may irritate a sore mouth. If you cannot eat solid food, or are losing weight, ask your specialist for nutritious drinks to replace or supplement your meals. If you have diarrhoea following radiotherapy it is helpful to speak to your doctor or a dietitian. Your doctor can prescribe anti-diarrhoea medicines. 3

æÐ8 ZÁðc* +g i

X $ ˃" $U* g ÇæI Z F, sf •gŠ fÆ3 ëÐ8 ZÁðc* +g i X B:z~Vñ¤ / u{Š c* iÐ]gz¢\W< ~È/µÅyŠ LZÐbSZgzZ <x Zg W Â,™kC~\W¤ /Z /

0!Nv% 6uZgpg ZŠá){Š c* iX} 7, ã3g !* F~yŠ1ÑuZgph + á Ã\WXƒ: Zq¡uZgpÅ\W<ÒÃ/ Æ{{ W, OÆîE

X ϶: L »¡f

9 4£F 7~}g !* Æ7 -g eáZzÅ Wg7½ÐáZ½Ð( Ý LZ ƒ„gƒ¶~yizÆ\Wc* Ã3: Z½k^\W¤ /Z / Vâ 3Æ\W õJ/G

X M hYf6, gî~Š ZæZB‚ÆyQ c* (Å J H I45" ÉZzŠ fÆc* JZ eÃ\WËZ eÆ\WX ǃ" $U* g ÇŠæ** ™]!* Ð èEjG Z e c* ËZ e LZ ƒe $DÅ ( „  Š ) c* JZ eˆÆ8 ZÁðc* +gÃ\W¤ i /Z / X M h}Š™

0!NÆ\WkgzZ ñe. ÞC ÙÔ ñeÔ ã0* X ( Æizgz0* zŠ ÁÐÁ ) ßÐ]Òù â / XÐVƒ7{Š1fÆîE

XØXfÆJ -w‚q -ZÐ\ðŠ¹QgzZ <: wEZ »0™g ZŠÒpgzZ *™6, V”{ W, OÂVƒìgá8 ZÁðc* +g ãzÛ\W¤ i /Z / XÐ,Š *™mºq -Z fÆäÎ6, yZÃ\W{ óN<]!* ÐpÆ8 ZÁðc* +g ƒkCŠgŠ6, i V”{ W, O+ W¤ /Z / X ¡ k]¢e ñƒ¶ÆH» 6} À CgŠÂì {Š1¢5 W¤ /Z /

]â ¥vŠ

PgzZì @* Y^ Iö~~g Zƒâ ÅyQÏBŠt~i ¸W'gúXì $ ˃W, OÐ8 ZÁ-i +gÅ{ãZ²qZ Å“ WVâ Å\W:ÜqZ

1‡6, g U* ZyZÆi ƒ 0* ЊæÅ Kg WÝZh + á'gú¼~x lZ¼ ÅãXÐVƒkCg U* WÆi ƒ 0* ÃyQgzZì @* YugÇ!* ŸtˆV¸

1™pô™wïÃVz& +ZÐãZŠ^Å]gú¬Ð8 ZÁðc* +gì etÂVƒ]** i kZÆäƒi Z0 +Z W, Z6, qZ ÅäƒnqÆ` ´¤ /ZX Ã0* .-G'Z c* .-G'Z c* NÜ)- çE NÜ)X M NÜ)- çE NÜ)QtX ñY YHwEZ~wÃ( { & +Z { å]I Vz& +Z { å]I hYòpô6, gîÆ( { & +Z { å]I Vz& +Z { å]I

äƒqzÑÆ` ´X ÇñYc* Š µñ»ä™pôÃ*ÂVƒx]Z W, Zt¤ /ZX D YƒqzÑ** ƒZa Á}Š âÆ( x4)*~VzŠ%Xì Y

Š%ÐzzÅäƒ~{äxgŠÆŠ%8 ZÁðc* +gX ,™’ i A ]!* ~}g !* ÆqZ Åä™ZaaÐËZ e LZ\Wì ~gz¢t¬Ð

Xì $ Ë{gJ -Vß ‚É V¸FˆÆäYƒ»Æ8 ZÁðc* +gì $ i Ë0¯ ) !* »äW:f~ÒÆ

8 ZÁðc* +gXì Š i HƒÁys¥Ò»yQÐ,™kCtvß¼ì e´g ~g Y._Æw©ÃVñ¤ / uÒyZgzŠÆ` ´p¤ /ZÜ›Z−Z

` ´Â}Š]i YZ ÅkZ< Øè»\W¤ /ZXƒ: Zawq‹gßÅÜyZgzŠÆ` ´ì ~gz¢tfkZì Cƒ{ŠyvfÆaŠñ~ù

X ,™m, / ¤ пƓ W\!* -ˆ{ â PÆ8{nZgzZyZgzŠÆ` ´{ óNì CYÅSÃVzŠ%X ǃ4** J CZÃi§ÆÜ›Z−ZyZgzŠÆ X ǃ" $U* g ÇŠæ** ™]!* 6, kZÐk3, c* ËZ e LZ

V30 +ZÆ\WÐ\W°3, X <‚ZgÐkzu^g7ãÅ\Zàã ã!* $ñZ' , Âe** ™]!* 0Æwq‹gßKZ~y!* iKZ\W¤ /Z G©E!NaÆkZXì $ ËïŠæh +' ×ÐV¹6, ä7, ]gz¢Ã\WÐN CtgzZÐ,™]!* ~}g !* Æ gzZ 0808 800 0140ìty¯» ï NÐg ZñÎt ~Š ZæZ ~œ / %Å\Zàãð‚gJ -X[ø 7Š Ìy)F, ~Vâ !* i{Š c* iÐÎq -ZXì [ø 7ŠJ -W7x  -îœ.9E á ÐW9ðJ

ËYÅÝqÆ™‚Zg6, kZÐíÑ X 0808 800 1234 ì $

ó** ë›Ì~}g !* ÆãÆ}ngzZVzµÔã »V⬠îgzZkZ` Ô8 ZÁð6~y!* izŠg QÃ\W\Zàã{z´Æó** ë›kZ Xì $ Ë™ G é5;X&N 4

• • • •

Drink plenty of fluids (at least two pints a day) – water, tea, herbal teas and squashes will not irritate your mouth. If you are having external radiotherapy, do not use any creams or perfumed soaps on the treated area and protect it from the sun for a year. If you get skin soreness in the treated area, talk to the radiotherapy staff who can give you special creams to use. If your skin is sore, wear loose-fitting clothing made of natural fibres, such as cotton.

Additional information Fertility Your ability to have a child may be affected by radiotherapy to the pelvic area. Women find that their periods will become irregular and then stop over a few months, and they will have the symptoms of the menopause. Depending on the type of cancer, some women may be able to take HRT to overcome these menopausal symptoms. If the treatment is likely to affect fertility it may be possible to collect and store eggs before the radiotherapy. These can be stored as unfertilised eggs, or as embryos. The eggs or embryos can be stored for use in the future. In men the sperm count may be reduced. The opportunity to store sperm will be offered if this effect is likely to be permanent. It is important to discuss fertility with your doctor before starting treatment. Radiotherapy to the pelvic area in men may also cause the inability to have an erection, which may develop some months or years after the radiotherapy has finished. Contraception Although it is possible to have a normal sex life during treatment, some people may find that their interest in sex has decreased. Radiotherapy will harm an unborn baby, so it is important not to become pregnant whilst having this treatment. It is a good idea to use effective contraception during treatment if your religion allows this. Men are advised not to father children while having treatment or for a few months afterwards. It is helpful to discuss these issues with your doctor or nurse. If you would like to talk to someone in your language about your situation or how you are feeling, please contact Cancerbackup’s Cancer Support Service. The nurses will be able to talk through any concerns you have and suggest where you can get any other support that you may need. The freephone number is 0808 800 0140 and the lines are open from Monday to Friday 9am until 7pm. Interpreters are also available for over 100 other languages by ringing Cancerbackup’s main helpline number, 0808 800 1234. As well as this factsheet, Cancerbackup can send you factsheets in Urdu on chemotherapy, surgery and breast cancer. You may also find the following Cancerbackup booklets and factsheets helpful to you. Please call Cancerbackup on 0808 800 0140 if you would like a copy of any of them. They are only available in English. Understanding radiotherapy (available in five Asian languages) Diet and the cancer patient Sexuality and cancer Fertility and cancer Dry mouth This factsheet has been compiled using information from a number of reliable sources including The Oxford Textbook of Oncology and Cancer and its Management. Each Cancerbackup factsheet is regularly reviewed and updated by cancer doctors, specialist nurses, other relevant health professionals and people with cancer.

4

Ã\Zàã ã!* $ñZ' , Âe** ™Ýq8»Åq -Z ËÐ~yZ\W¤ /ZX N 0* g ÇŠæÃVñ** ë›gzZV”ÂÆ\Zàãsf •gŠh + á\W

kZ X [ ø 7Š~~ m, ôZsÜtX 0808 800 0140
!%ÆãgzZ Z½

pgzZã GLG3ÒX3Z ãgzZÜï IE N îE 0!N öÀh8~ This factsheet has been compiled using information from a number of reliable sources including The Oxford Textbook of Oncology and Cancer and its Management. Each Cancerbackup factsheet is regularly reviewed and updated by cancer doctors, specialist nurses, other relevant health professionals and people with cancer.

© CANCERBACKUP 2006, RADIOTHERAPY. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Cancerbackup, 3 Bath Place, Rivington Street, London EC2A 3JR. Charity Registration No. 1019719. A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales. Company No. 2803321. Registered office as above.

5

© CANCERBACKUP 2006, RADIOTHERAPY. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Cancerbackup, 3 Bath Place, Rivington Street, London EC2A 3JR. Charity Registration No. 1019719. A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales. Company No. 2803321. Registered office as above.

5