Colorectal Cancer: In Treatment: External Radiation Therapy

• Do not be surprised if starting treatment makes cancer feel real.
• If you would like to read about radiation treatment, how it is given, and look at an overview , click here.
• Ask the doctor:
  • What would be considered an emergency during treatment and how should you handle it. (Pack an emergency bag "just in case."  The odds are you will not need it, but it can’t hurt).
  • How to get through to the doctor if you have a concern or problem that you do not think can wait until regular office hours. It is better to call the doctor than end up in the hospital with a serious complication that should have been treated. Most doctors have 24 hour answering services. Some doctors give patients their mobile phone number. (It can't hurt to ask for it).
  • What to do if a natural disaster occurs and you cannot get to the radiation facility or the facility is shut down. (For tips about how to prepare for a disaster, click here.)
  • Before speaking with your doctor, review tips about how to maximize limited time with a doctor. For instance, learn the meaning of the basic medical words that are likely to come up so conversations can be faster and more precise. For more information, click here. 
• If you need transportation to and from treatment, contact the American Cancer Society at 800.ACS.2345. 
  • The Society has volunteers on hand to help. 
  • The more notice you give, the more likely that the Society will be able to find a driver when you need one.
• Keep in mind that treatment decisions may change as treatment goes along. A change does not mean that the original treatment was wrong. Medicine is a combination of science and art.
•  Stock up on single portions of your favorite comfort foods “just in case.” 
  • Include some in your freezer that you can defrost as needed. 
  • When you freeze foods for this period of time, make the portions smaller than usual for those occasions when you don't feel like eating a lot.
• If you have children, and haven't told them yet about your condition and/or treatment, now is the time to do it in an age sensitive manner. See the document in "To Learn More."
• Schedule doctors’ appointments for your convenience.
  • An appointment early in the day or at the beginning of that part of the day when the doctor sees patients generally gets you in and out quickly. Doctors' schedules tend to back up as the day progresses.
  • If you have appointments with different doctors and/or tests coming up, consider scheduling them for the same day or setting doctor appointments for the same day every week.
• If you have health insurance:
  • Check with the doctor’s office to be sure that everything is squared away with the insurance company. If not, get involved – at least to extent of following up with the doctor’s office and the insurance company to make sure treatment is being covered.
  • Start thinking about how to pay your share.
  • When you have time, read: How To Maximize Use Of Your Health Insurance
• If you do not have health insurance:
  • If you haven't already, start thinking about how to pay for treatment if you haven’t already. We provide information under the general headings of How To Deal With A Financial Crunch and Uninsured
  • Keep in mind that all medical bills are negotiable. We show you how to negotiate a doctor's bill, and a hospital bill. Plus professionals are available to help if needed (Click here). 
• Since fatigue generally accompanies radiation therapy, start modifying your schedule to make room for rest.  This will become more important as treatment progresses.
• Comfort. If you are uncomfortable in the hospital gown used in the radiation facility, consider making your own or buying one of your own.
  • A free hospital gown pattern that fits most women and men is located on the web site of Lazy Girl Designs  
  • You can purchase hospital gowns designed for women with breast cancer through Healing Threads

 WOMEN: NOTE: It is advisable to avoid becoming pregnant during radiation treatment. Radiation can be harmful to a fetus. In general, the guideline is to wait for 2‐5 years after the end of treatment before becoming pregnant. If you want to get pregnant before then, talk with your health care team. 

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