Radiotherapy frequently asked questions
Date issued: September 2026
Review date: May 2027
Leaflet section: Oncology
PDF: Radiotherapy frequently asked questions.pdf [pdf] 180KB
How do I get to the Plymouth Oncology Centre?
Derriford Hospital
Derriford Road,
Plymouth,
PL6 8DH
The Plymouth Oncology Centre is situated on level 2.
Is there easy access to parking?
Oncology Patient parking is provided in the following car parks: -
-
Oncology and Macmillan car park - opposite the Plymouth Oncology Centre
-
Multistorey car park
-
Car park A and F- Located at the front of the hospital.
Disabled parking is available in the car parks above. Disabled parking remains free of charge. A valid blue badge must be displayed.
All patient car parks can be exited free of charge via use of a code. Codes can be obtained from oncology reception each day when checking in. A new code is required daily.
All parking is on a first come first served basis.
A free mobility bus will run from 8am to 6pm for those patients who require assistance down to the Radiotherapy or Oncology department. The mobility bus can be called by ringing either the parking desk on 01752 432000 or 07827897431 and giving your location. It can also be called for a return journey. Last pick up is 5:45pm.
How do I find the Radiotherapy Department?
The Plymouth Oncology Department is on level 2 opposite the Derriford Centre for Health and Wellbeing at the back of the hospital grounds and check in at the reception desk. Drive down the hill past A&E. The Oncology car park is on the left just past the PET-CT scanner.
How do I change an appointment?
Once you receive your first treatment appointment, if you need to change it prior to starting your treatment please contact the Radiotherapy Bookings Team on: 01752 433346.
If you need to change an appointment once you have started your treatment, please ask the radiographers and they will do their best to accommodate any requests.
However, please be aware this may not always be possible.
What is radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy is the use of ionising radiation to treat cancer and some non-cancerous conditions. Radiotherapy can be used alone or with systemic anti-cancer treatments, or both. It is used to:
-
Attempt to cure cancer (radical radiotherapy)
-
Control/slow down the growth of cancer
-
Relieve cancer symptoms (palliative radiotherapy)
The type of radiotherapy you are given will depend on the type of cancer you have and your individual situation:
-
External Beam - delivers radiation from outside the body using a Linear Accelerator (Linac)
-
Internal Radiotherapy - Brachytherapy delivers radiation to body cavities or tissues internally using a specialist machine.
How does radiotherapy work?
Radiotherapy destroys the cancer cells in the treated area by damaging the DNA within these cells. Although normal cells are also affected by radiation, they are better at repairing themselves than the cancer cells.
Radiotherapy is often delivered in several small doses, over a specified period of days or weeks. The prescription written by your consultant clinical oncologist will define the dose and number of treatments (fractions). Both short and long-term side-effects are possible and these are thoroughly discussed with you prior to starting treatment as part of the consent process.
How long will the treatment take?
The treatment itself only takes a few minutes, but more time is spent setting you up correctly and taking X-ray images or a CT scan to check your position.
Appointment lengths range from 15 to 30 minutes.
To help us keep to time please arrive a minimum of 10 minutes before your appointment, unless you are required to prep for your appointment, for which you may need to arrive earlier than this.
Is the treatment different each day?
The treatment itself is the same each day, but we allow extra time for taking images to check your position.
Can you see my cancer on the scan?
We use your images for accuracy purposes only. We need to make sure that you are in the perfect position for treatment, so that we can deliver your radiotherapy safely and accurately. We are not able to tell you if your treatment is working through these images and scans.
Is the treatment safe?
Each treatment is planned with careful consideration to avoid as much healthy tissue as possible. Every patient is considered individually and a unique treatment plan is produced. Each department has careful checking procedures in place to minimise risk.
Is there any risk to my friends and family while I am having radiotherapy?
No. There is no risk to your friends and family while you are receiving or after radiotherapy treatment. Once the machine is switched off the radiation is switched off. The radiation does not stay in the body so you cannot harm anyone else.
If you are receiving internal radiotherapy as an in-patient you will be given further information about this.
Who will be looking after me?
Your radiotherapy will be planned and delivered by a mixed team of specialist staff, including therapeutic radiographers, doctors, medical physicists and technical services. The team consists of both male and female members of staff.
The radiotherapy department is supported by an extensive team including reception and administration staff, radiotherapy assistants, specialist radiographers and nurses, dietitians, therapists and porters, who will help to look after you and make sure your experience is as good as it can be.
Do I have to stay in hospital while having radiotherapy?
Most patients are treated as outpatients and travel to the radiotherapy department for each treatment. However, if the doctor anticipates any problems due to your health or the type of treatment you might be having you could be offered treatment as an inpatient.
Pregnancy
All patients between 12 and 55 years will be asked to confirm their pregnancy status at their first appointment in the department.
It is a legal requirement for our Radiographers to ask.
If you are or think you might be pregnant, please make sure that you inform your consultant clinical oncologist or a radiographer as soon as possible.
It is important that you take precautions during your treatment so as not to become pregnant.
Cardiac and Implanted Device
It is important that you inform your consultant clinical oncologist or a member of their team if you have a cardiac device or an implanted device during your initial consultation. This is required as it is known that radiation can/may affect cardiac devices/implanted device.
For cardiac devices your department will arrange any required pacing checks for you and make sure that any necessary precautions are taken. Sometimes on your first day of treatment it is necessary for a doctor or a member of the clinical measurements team to be present and for your heart rate to be monitored. You may also be required to go for a pacing check once your whole treatment has been completed.
For implanted devices the team will advise if any checks are required or actions to be taken during radiotherapy.
I have only just had a CT scan; do I need another one?
Yes. The radiotherapy CT scan is different to ones you may have had before as you will be scanned in the position that is required to treat you. Radiotherapy CT scanners are linked to a computer planning system so that the scanning information can be used to plan your treatment.
Are there any side effects?
The treatment does have some side effects but these are not immediate and vary from patient to patient. Your treatment team will explain these to you and offer advice for reducing them.
Should I moisturise my skin?
We suggest you moisturise the area of your body which will receive radiotherapy with your usual moisturiser - this will keep your skin in good condition. If you buy something new - you do not need to buy anything expensive. Please follow the advice given in the Radiotherapy Skin Reactions booklet given at your scan. If you did not receive this please ask a member of the team for a copy. Your radiographers will speak with you about any other skin care you need.
Will I lose my hair?
Most patients will not lose their hair. However, if you are having radiotherapy to your head or neck you may suffer some hair loss. Your consultant clinical oncologist should have discussed this with you and an appointment to discuss having a wig can be arranged for you by a radiographer or nurse.
Treatment to other parts of your body that have hair can also be affected by hair loss. Patients who suffer hair loss caused by radiotherapy may find that it takes longer to grow back and is often patchy.
Can I have an interpreter?
If you require an interpreter, this should have already been arranged for you. If you think an interpreter is required and has not been arranged, please contact the Radiotherapy Bookings Team 01752 433346 if you have any queries regarding an interpreter. Ideally friends and family members should not be used as interpreters.
Can I keep my clothes on?
In order to maintain your dignity during treatment we only ask that clothing which covers the area to be treated are removed. Specialist gowns may be provided where required.
Please make sure you do not wear unnecessary layers of clothing to help us keep to our appointment times.
Why is my treatment and number of appointments different to other peoples?
Everybody's treatment is individually planned so the number of appointments can vary depending on the treatment site and what the consultant has decided is the best treatment for you.
Do not worry if your appointments differ to somebody else's. We treat many different areas within the body, each requiring a different number of treatments.
Can friends or family come with me?
Friends or family will not be able to come in to the treatment room with you but they can be there for consultations and review appointments. This may change depending on national guidance.
Am I alone during my treatment?
You are alone during treatment. However, the radiographers can see you at all times on CCTV and can talk to you via an intercom if you wish.
Can I eat before/after treatment?
Unless it is stated in your personal treatment preparation that you must not eat or drink prior to treatment, you are able to eat and drink as normal before and after treatment. Please speak to a radiographer if you have any questions.
Can I take weight management injections during treatment?
No, it is important during radiotherapy that you do not actively try and change your weight.
Your radiotherapy plan is calculated on your body shape at the time of your radiotherapy planning CT scan, any large changes to this during treatment can impact treatment delivery.
Weight management injections should be stopped when you see your consultant to consent for radiotherapy treatment until the completion of your treatment. Please inform you weight management team of the need to stop during your radiotherapy treatment.
Will I still be able to drive?
Most patients can continue to drive throughout treatment. However if you feel unwell or tired it is advised that you ask someone else to drive you or find an alternative way to travel in for treatment.
Some patients are not allowed not to continue driving and your doctor will advise you of this. You may need to inform the DVLA of your condition.
How will radiotherapy affect my day to day life?
Depending on the area being treated, radiotherapy can cause specific side effects. Your consultant will give you some written information about these side effects and the radiographers will discuss these with you when you come for your first radiotherapy appointment.
Generally, treatment to all areas of the body may cause tiredness and this can mean that you need to take more time to complete everyday tasks and take regular breaks. However, many people find that they can carry on working and continuing a normal routine.
If you have any questions at any time during treatment, please ask the team.
Can I go swimming?
You may go swimming if your skin is not blistered, broken down or peeling. It is best to shower immediately afterwards to wash off chlorine and apply moisturiser. Please stop swimming if it irritates your skin.
Can I use deodorant?
Please continue to use the deodorant that you normally use, unless it irritates your skin; stop if your skin blisters or peels where you are applying deodorant.
Will my radiotherapy treatment hurt?
You will not see or feel anything during your treatment. You will just hear the machine making a buzzing noise which is normal.
Do I see a doctor during my treatment?
You will not normally see a doctor during your course of radiotherapy. Everybody's treatment and well-being is closely monitored throughout and you may be seen in a Treatment Review Clinic. These clinics are run by specially trained review radiographers to support you during your treatment. The treatment radiographers can also make sure that you have the correct medication and use their expertise to answer any questions.
If you have any problems and you do not have a review appointment booked, please speak to one of the radiographers and they can give you advice.
Can I miss any treatments?
Your consultant will decide the number of treatment sessions necessary for your radiotherapy to be effective and it is important you attend these appointments.
Some patients may need to attend on bank holidays or Saturdays. If you have other appointments that you need to attend during this time, please discuss this with the radiographers and they will try to arrange your radiotherapy appointment to accommodate them.
If you do miss a treatment, then another appointment will be added for you so you can complete your full course of treatment.
Does radiotherapy have an effect on my immunity?
No, radiotherapy treatment is localised to the treatment site and does not affect your immune system. Some concurrent treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy can affect your immunity. Please speak to a radiographer if you have any questions or concerns.
Can I have the flu vaccination while I am having radiotherapy?
You may be offered the flu vaccination. If you are just having radiotherapy it is fine for you to have the flu vaccine. If you are having chemotherapy as well, please ask for further advice.
What happens after I have finished my radiotherapy?
Some side effects of your treatment may continue after you have completed your radiotherapy, but the radiographers will advise you on how to manage these. They will also make sure you have all the necessary telephone numbers and information before you leave the department. You will receive a follow-up appointment to an outpatient clinic where you will meet your consultant to discuss the outcomes of your treatment and your progress. You will usually continue to attend outpatient clinics for several years after your treatment.
How do I know if my treatment has worked?
Radiotherapy treatment can keep working for several weeks after treatment has finished. You may not find out for a few months about the results of your treatment, but you will have a follow up appointment to discuss this further. The period in between your treatment finishing and your follow up appointment allows time for your radiotherapy side effects to settle.
What support is available once I finish radiotherapy treatment?
When you finish your treatment, you will be given a letter with general information that you may find useful. There is a large variety of materials that are available once you finish your radiotherapy treatment. Please speak to a radiographer if you have any questions or concerns.
MY CARE
Your healthcare information is available through MY CARE which you can access using an app on your mobile phone or via your computer. This can be accessed by either setting up a MY CARE account or by using your NHS login.
If you have any questions about MY CARE please ask a member of the team.
Information produced by the South West Radiotherapy Operational Delivery Group and has been through information review: GHPI1691_10_21
Other formats
If you need this leaflet in another format such as Braille, large print, high contrast, British Sign Language or translated into another language, contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS):
-
01752 439694
