Living with Brain Cancer
Living with brain cancer
While radiation therapy itself may be painless, it impacts your body in ways that you can’t always see. To keep your body strong, here is a list of things to do during treatment:
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Be kind to the skin near your treatment area. Wash the area with mild soap and water, and do not put hot or cold packs on the skin. Contact your MRO care team before using lotions or ointments.
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Find a support group or seek out help to manage the stress that comes with cancer treatment and a cancer diagnosis.
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Make sure to tell your doctor about any medicines or supplements you take to ensure they are safe to use during treatment.
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Follow your doctor’s orders and contact your MRO care team with any questions.
Life After Treatment
You can use an over-the-counter pain medicine if you have pain after treatment. Avoid using a heating pad or warm compress on any area treated by radiation. If pain persists, contact your MRO team.
After you’ve completed treatment, you’ll have follow-up visits with your MRO radiation oncologist and the doctor who referred you to MRO. Follow-up care varies from patient to patient. Your physician may also recommend home care, occupational or vocational therapy, pain management, physical therapy, and/or participation in support groups.
Whether the tumor was removed completely or not, your MRO care team will follow up closely with you, especially in the first few months after treatment to make sure there is no progression or recurrence. It’s important to report any new symptoms to your doctor right away, so the cause can be found and treated.
The National Cancer Institute reports that there are over 688,096 people living with a brain cancer diagnosis.
For more information, visit our resources page.