Expected Duration

Prevention

Some forms of hair loss can be prevented by minimizing stress,

practicing good nutrition and sensible hairdressing techniques, and,

if possible, switching to medications that do not cause hair loss. Hair loss

from fungal infections can be prevented by keeping hair clean and by never

sharing hats, combs or brushes with other people. Hair loss from

hereditary-pattern baldness often can be prevented by medication.

Call your doctor whenever you are concerned about hair loss,

 especially if you are having other unexplained symptoms.

Radiation:   <<click to go up

The side effects of radiation treatment vary

from patient to patient. You may have no side effects

or only a few mild ones through your course of treatment.

 Some people do experience serious side effects, however.

The side effects that you have depend mostly on the radiation

dose and the part of your body that is treated. Your general health

also can affect how your body reacts to radiation therapy and whether

you have side effects. Before beginning your treatment,

your doctor and nurse will discuss the side effects

you might experience, how long they might last,

and how serious they might be.

Side effects may be acute or chronic.

Acute side effects are sometimes referred to as "early side effects."

They occur soon after the treatment

begins and usually are gone within

a few weeks of finishing therapy.

 Chronic side effects, sometimes

 called "late side effects," may take months or

years to develop and usually are permanent.

The most common early side effects of radiation therapy

are fatigue and skin changes. They can result from radiation

to any treatment site. Other side effects are related to

treatment of specific areas. For example, temporary or permanent

hair loss may be a side effect of radiation treatment to the head.

Appetite can be altered if treatment affects the mouth, stomach,

or intestine. This chapter discusses common side effects first.

Then the side effects that involve specific

areas of the body are described.

Fortunately, most side effects will go away in time.

In the meantime, there are ways to reduce discomfort.

If you have a side effect that is especially severe,

the doctor may prescribe a break in your

treatments or change your treatment in some way.

Be sure to tell your doctor, nurse, or radiation therapist

about any side effects that you notice.

 They can help you treat the problems and tell you how to lessen

the chances that the side effects will come back.

The information in this booklet can serve as a guide to handling

some side effects, but it cannot take the place of

talking with the members of your health care team.

Skin<<click to go up

You may notice that your skin in the treatment area

 is red or irritated. It may look as if it is sunburned, or tanned.

After a few weeks your skin may be very dry from the therapy.

 Ask your doctor or nurse for advice on how to relieve itching or discomfort.

With some kinds of radiation therapy, treated skin may

develop a "moist reaction," especially in areas

where there are skin folds.

When this happens, the skin is wet and it may become very sore.

It's important to notify your doctor or nurse if your skin develops a

moist reaction. They can give you suggestions on

how to care for these areas and

 prevent them from becoming infected. 

During radiation therapy you will need to be very

gentle with the skin in the treatment area.

The following suggestions may be helpful:

Avoid irritating treated skin.

When you wash, use only lukewarm water and mild soap; pat dry.

Do not wear tight clothing over the area.

Do not rub, scrub, or scratch the skin in the treatment area.

Avoid putting anything that is hot or cold,

such as heating pads or ice packs, on your treated skin.

Ask your doctor or nurse to recommend skin care products

that will not cause skin irritation. Do not use any powders,

creams, perfumes, deodorants, body oils, ointments, lotions,

or home remedies in the treatment area while you're being

treated and for several weeks afterward unless approved by your doctor or nurse.

Do not apply any skin lotions within 2 hours of a treatment.

Avoid exposing the radiated area to the sun during treatment.

If you expect to be in the sun for more than a few

minutes you will need to be very careful. Wear protective clothing

(such as a hat with a broad brim and a shirt with long sleeves)

and use a sunscreen.

Ask your doctor or nurse about using sunblocking lotions.

After your treatment is over, ask your

doctor or nurse how long you should continue

to take extra precautions in the sun.

The majority of skin reactions to radiation therapy

go away a few weeks after treatment is completed.

 In some cases, though, the treated skin will remain slightly darker

than it was before and it may continue to be more sensitive to sun exposure.

Radiation therapy can cause hair loss, also known as alopecia,

but only in the area being treated. For example,

if you are receiving treatment to your hip, you will not lose the

hair from your head. Radiation of your head may cause you to

lose some or all of the hair on your scalp. Many patients find

that their hair grows back again after the treatments are finished. T

he amount of hair that grows back will depend on how much and what

kind of radiation you receive. You may notice that your hair has a slightly

different texture or color when it grows back. Other types of cancer treatment,

such as chemotherapy, also can affect how your hair grows back.

Although your scalp may be tender after the hair is lost,

it's a good idea to cover your head with a hat, turban, or scarf.

You should wear a protective cap or scarf when you're in the

sun or outdoors in cold weather. If you prefer a wig or toupee,

be sure the lining does not irritate your scalp. The cost of a

hairpiece that you need because of cancer treatment is a tax-deductible expense

and may be covered in part by your health insurance.

If you plan to buy a wig, it's a good idea to select it early in

your treatment if you want to match the color and style to your own hair.

See our links for health support information:

Hair Loss Links of Interest for Individuals Living With Hair Loss