Potential
Side Effects
Radiation therapy is more effective with fewer side effects than ever before.
Recent advances mean radiation oncologists can effectively treat the cancer while getting less radiation on healthy body parts. This means much fewer side effects.
Side effects from radiation therapy vary between people, even for those having the same treatment. With palliative radiation therapy the side effects are usually mild as radiation oncologists use a lower dose of radiation.
Many people feel very tired during treatment, and this may build over the course of treatment.
Depending on which part of the body was treated, other common side effects are skin redness and soreness, bowel upset, bladder symptoms, nausea, and sore mouth or throat.
It is very rare that radiation therapy is stopped due to side effects. Healthy body parts are not affected by radiation therapy. For example, skin will not get red and sore if it is away from the treated area and hair will only thin or fall out if it is in the treated area.
The radiation oncology treatment team offers and medicine to help people with side effects. People who feel unwell in the stomach during treatment can take an anti-nausea tablet to help.
Most side effects disappear a few weeks after people finish treatment. However, a small number of people have more serious and/or long-term side effects, that start months to years after treatment.
Your radiation oncologist will talk to you about side effects and answer your questions before starting treatment.
The side effects of radiation therapy vary according to where the treatment is.
You can learn more about potential side effects by viewing the treatment by cancer type page.
Radiation Oncologist
The best person to talk to is a radiation oncologist. You can ask your doctor for a referral to find out if radiation treatment is right for you.
GPs and Health Professionals
Information for any health professional involved in a patient's cancer care with a particular focus on primary care providers.
Talking to Your Doctor
Your GP or other doctors in the cancer team can organise a referral to a radiation oncologist.
Treatment Centres
Search and find your closest Radiation Oncology Treatment Centre.
