Living with Lung Cancer
Living with Lung 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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Get plenty of rest; don’t push yourself too hard.
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Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids.
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Treat your skin in the treatment area with care. Clean with warm water and mild soap, avoid hot or cold packs, and check with your doctor before using lotions or ointments.
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Talk to your doctor about any medications or supplements you are taking to make sure they are safe to use during radiation.
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Follow your doctor’s orders and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
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Find a support group or seek out help to cope with the stress of your cancer and 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.
Life After Treatment
After you’ve completed treatment, you’ll have follow-up visits with your MRO care team, especially in the first few months after treatment, to make sure there is no progression or recurrence. During this time, it’s important to report any new symptoms right away, so the cause can be found and treated.
Follow-up care for lung cancer varies from patient to patient. Your MRO care team may also recommend home care, occupational or vocational therapy, pain management, physical therapy and participation in support groups.
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