Radiotherapy uses high energy rays to shrink, slow down growth, or control symptoms of cancer. It destroys cancer cells in the target area of the body and also affects some of the nearby normal cells. Although radiotherapy treatment aims to make patient feel better, but there can be few side effects of it .
Palliative Care Post Radiotherapy
- Damage to normal cells around the cancer
- Anemia
- Increased tiredness and weakness during and after the treatment
- Feeling of sickness
- Soreness especially during swallowing
- Sore skin
- Loss of hair in the treatment area
- Change in skin colour of the treatment area
- Mouth dryness
- Breathing problems
- Infertility
- Low sex drive
- Erection problems
- Pain
- Bowel changes
- Bladder inflammation
- Palliative Care Post-radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is an important part of cancer treatment. It is generally well-tolerated by patients but some may develop its side effects symptoms. These symptoms are majorly because of the effect of radiation on healthy cells as body tends to repair them as soon as possible and in return causes some symptoms like weakness, fatigue etc.
These symptoms can be managed by palliative care team that includes:
- Specialist palliative care physician
- Palliative care nurse specialists
- Counsellors
- Community nurses
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Dieticians
- Social workers
- Care workers
- Spiritual care professionals
Goals of Palliative Care Post-radiotherapy
- Provide a support system to the patient as well as to the family
- Keep patient and his family members well-informed about the possible side effects of radiotherapy and how they can be managed
- Give psychological, social, spiritual and practical support to the patient
- Facilitate good communication between patient, family and the radiotherapist
Advantages of Palliative Care Post-radiotherapy
- Provides relief from pain and other distressing side-effects of radiotherapy
- Supports life of patients undergoing radiotherapy by giving them courage and listening to their sufferings
- Combines psychological and spiritual aspects of care to give best possible life to the patient
- Manages emotional and social needs, including anxiety, depression, and relationship issues
- Helps patient live as actively as possible until death
- Understands and works as a team to address the needs of patient and their families
In the journey of cancer, patients receive many types of cancer treatments. Cancer surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and pain management are the main treatments. For advanced stage cancer chemo, radiation therapy and pain relief remains the mainstay of treatments. Unfortunately, even with the best treatment; if cancer gradually spreads throughout the body, palliative care is all that is required. Advanced cancer care network (ACCN) is committed to provide specialist health care at home to all advanced cancer patients. Home care is best for stage 4 cancer patients. Advanced cancer care centre is a place for people who don’t need to be in a hospital but can’t be cared for at home and offers an alternative to nearby nursing homes. Hospice care focuses on the palliation of a chronically ill, terminally ill or seriously ill patient’s pain and symptoms, end of life care and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs. ACCN is all set to provide not only nursing home care but home care products also at home and home becomes care home. The purpose of home health care or home care services is to provide comfort care to the patients. Home health care services include hospice care, home nurse, junior doctor, specialist doctor and other medical treatments at home. Sometimes home health aide can also work like in home nurse. Most of the health care agencies don’t provide respite care for caregiver, but we do. ACCN provides home care nursing services and doctors for home health for assisted living in Delhi, NCR and other parts of north India. Contact us for arranging home visit or for an appointment at our office.
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Note:-This information should not be used as a substitute for necessary consultations with an Oncologist or Cancer Pain Specialist or Palliative Care Specialist to meet your individual needs. Always consult a medically trained & qualified professional with questions and concerns you have regarding your cancer and cancer related problems.