You are almost finished your radiation treatments. This can be an exciting, but also a stressful time. You may be looking forward to returning to life as usual and worried about your recovery and next steps in your treatment journey.

Use the notes at the end of the pamphlet to record any questions or concerns you may have.

Skin Care

Skin side effects are common but they affect the area treated with radiation. Your skin may feel dry, red and itchy, or you may have other skin changes.

When treatment is finished, skin changes may take a few weeks to get better, and can sometimes become worse. Skin changes are often at their worst 1 to 2 weeks after treatment.

Follow the skin care instructions from your health care team until your skin has returned to normal. This usually takes 2 to 4 weeks after your radiation treatment finishes.

Tips for washing your skin

• Use lukewarm water.
• Gently wash using a mild soap.
• Avoid rubbing or scratching the area.
• Pat dry with a soft towel or air dry.

Using creams, lotions, moisturizers or ointments

• Continue to use creams or lotions as instructed by your health care team.
• Your radiation oncologist may prescribe other creams to help manage your skin side effects.
• Make sure you have enough cream to last you a few weeks after radiation ends. Ask your health care team if you are not sure how much you will need.

Saline soaks

If you were told to use saline soaks, continue using them after treatment ends. Do this until your skin appears to be returning to normal.

Instructions for making normal saline

1. Measure 4 cups of tap water and 2 teaspoons of table salt. Pour into a clean pot.
2. Cover the pot and bring the solution to a boil. Mix until the salt is dissolved.
3. Remove the pot from the heat. Keep the lid on the pot while the saline cools to room temperature.
4. Pour the saline into a clean jar and close the jar tightly with a clean lid.
5. Remake new saline every 2 days.

Follow these guidelines to help care for your skin over the next few weeks

Healthy skin

• Wash gently with lukewarm water
• Use moisturizer on your skin
• Avoid using cosmetics on the area that was treated
• Wear loose cotton clothing
• Don’t use hot and cold compresses, or adhesive tape on the area that was treated

Dry and sensitive (itchy) skin

• Follow the same tips as “Healthy Skin”
• Use more moisturizer
• Use saline soaks (as needed)
• If skin is itchy but has no breaks or cuts: Use 1% hydrocortisone cream 2 to 3 times a day on the area

Bright red and blistered skin

• STOP using moisturizer and hydrocortisone cream on open areas
• Use saline soaks
• Use ointments (as prescribed by your doctor) after saline soaks
• Take pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) as needed

Open and blistered skin

• Increase use of saline soaks
• Use ointments or a dressing as prescribed by your doctor
• Take pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) as needed

Sun protection

Skin in the treatment area will always be more sensitive to the sun after radiation treatment.

• Protect your skin from the sun by covering up, or wearing SPF 30 or higher sunscreen
• Avoid using sunscreen in the treatment area until your skin is completely healed

Fatigue

Fatigue is a common side effect of radiation. It can be different for everyone and may change over time. Fatigue can get worse after finishing radiation, and may take a few months to get better.

What you can do to help with fatigue:

• Do light exercise (such as walking)
• Rest when you need to
• Eat a balance of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins
• Drink plenty of fluids such as water throughout the day

Talk to a health care professional if you are having trouble managing fatigue as you are recovering from radiation treatment.

Antioxidants

If you stopped taking antioxidants during radiation, you can start taking them 1 week after your radiation treatment ends.

Meal planning

There is no special diet needed after radiation treatment. Check Canada’s Food Guide for information about nutritious food choices.

You can learn about healthy foods during and after radiation treatment by attending a class led by our registered dietitians. Topics include:

• healthy eating during and after treatment
• healthy recipes for patients living with cancer

Smoking cessation

You can learn more about quitting smoking from the Smoking Cessation at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

See also Canadian Cancer Society’s Smoking Cessation Program.

Emotional changes

Find support groups and talk to health care professionals if you need more support.

Ask about the Princess Margaret Cancer Rehab and Survivorship Program.

Follow up and contacts

It is important that your see your health care professionals after your treatment so they can check your progress.

Follow-up appointments can be made at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, your referring hospital or your family doctor.

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Main phone: 416 946 2000
Nursing triage phone: 416 946 2228

When you finish your radiation treatment, you can still get information and support at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Other resources

• Patient Education Classes at UHN
• Princess Margaret Patient and Family Library
  Phone: 416 946 2000 extension 5383
  Email: PatientEducationPMH@uhn.ca
• ELLICSR: Health, Wellness & Cancer Survivorship Centre
  Location: Toronto General Hospital (TGH), Basement Level – PMB 130 (Room B)
  Phone: 416 581 8620
• Canadian Cancer Society
  Phone: 416 488 5400
  Toll-free: 1 800 268 8874
• Wellspring
  Phone: 416 961 1928
  Toll-free: 1 877 499 9904
• Gilda’s Club
  Phone: 416 214 9898
• Look Good Feel Better