Medical Psychology – Cancer Services
Radiotherapy affects people in different ways, and it is common to feel a mixture of emotions before, during and after your treatment. The treatment can leave you feeling uncertain, worried, anxious, low in mood, frustrated or angry, and these feelings can be difficult to manage at times.
This leaflet provides information and some tips that you may find helpful during your journey with radiotherapy; particularly when you notice that things feel difficult.
Before your treatment
- It is likely that you have many questions about your treatment and sometimes it can be difficult to remember what you’d like to ask. Writing down any questions may be a helpful prompt. At the end of this booklet there is space provided for you to write some of your questions down.
- If the department is unfamiliar, it might be helpful to visit before your treatment, to get to know the area and who may be around.
- Before treatment, it can be helpful to speak to someone in the department. They can explain exactly what will happen while you are there. If you have concerns about what is said let them know. They will do their best to help support you and make things feel more comfortable.
- Arriving at the department early may help you feel more settled. Taking something along with you, like a magazine, book, audio book or some music with headphones, may help reduce some anxiety. Try some of the techniques in the ‘Brief Techniques to Manage Anxiety’ leaflet while you wait to help change how you are feeling.
During your treatment
- Treatment usually only takes a few minutes but getting into the correct position may take some time. This can be anxiety provoking and at times frustrating. You will need to stay still and the team may need to use sponges, or to ask you to wear a mask to help keep you in the same position throughout treatment.
- Alternatively, it may be helpful to try some of the ‘Brief Techniques to Manage Anxiety’ exercises in the accompanying leaflet, to help control your breathing, distract from treatment and help you feel more comfortable.
- Depending on where the radiotherapy will be given, you may have to uncover parts of your body which may leave you feeling uncomfortable and exposed. The radiographers are familiar with this and it is part of their everyday role. However, this is not likely to be part of your everyday life. If you have concerns about this please raise this with the radiographers so they can help support you.
- During your treatment, the radiographers will be monitoring you on screens outside of the room. If things get difficult during treatment, let the radiographers know by showing a sign (such as waving) and the radiographers will respond to you as quickly as they can.
After your treatment
- Following treatment you are likely to feel tired both physically and psychologically. Allowing yourself time to rest and process what you have been through will be important. Listening to your body will also be helpful in knowing when you feel physically able to do things and when things feel like too much.
- After treatment you may experience a number of emotions that can feel overwhelming and at times difficult to manage. Trying out some of the strategies at the end of this booklet may be a way to help ease some of your thoughts and feelings for short periods of time, to help you feel more in control again.
- Talking to a friend or family member about your experience and how it has left you feeling can be helpful. If you are not someone that finds talking helpful, writing down your thoughts and feelings may be a helpful alternative.
Who can I contact for information or support?
Sometimes sharing your thoughts and feelings with family or friends can be difficult. Speaking with your medical team or nursing staff may be an alternative way of expressing your thoughts and feelings.
We also have a Clinical Psychology service and a Counselling service, that you can be referred if you would prefer to talk to someone who is not directly involved in your care. The ‘Psychology and Therapy in Cancer Services’ leaflet provides more information about this service.
Strategies
As our minds tend to move from thinking about the future and mulling over the past, the strategies in the accompanying ‘Brief Techniques to Manage Anxiety’ leaflet can help us to stay in the present moment. Using these techniques during the times when you feel anxious or stressed may be a helpful way of regaining some control over the way you are feeling.
Questions and queries
Below you can jot down any questions you may have regarding your treatment process or other things you may want to ask. Feel free to bring this with you.
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Contact us
If you require further information, please contact Medical Psychology – Cancer Services on:
Telephone: 01642 282708, Monday to Friday, 9am until 4pm
Email: [email protected]
Please go to www.southtees.nhs.net and search ‘Psychology and Therapy in Cancer Services’ for more information about psychosocial support for South Tees cancer patients.
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the patient experience department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print by emailing: [email protected]