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Radiation treatment impacts
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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Littlesandy
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2022 3:44 pm
Radiation treatment impacts
I’m being encouraged to get my prostate cancer treated. One option is radiation. My research indicates that radiation treatment at the prostate can negatively impact colon health. They are very close to each other in the body. Do any members of this forum have experience with this? I’m in remission with MC after a long struggle to get stable and I would rather not go backwards.
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8367
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Re: Radiation treatment impacts
I did radiation treatment for breast cancer in November 2024
The main issue I had was fatigue and body aches.
There was some gradual impact (softening etc) to Pooping over the duration but I never had explosive diarrhoea for long duration
By the end of the treatment and with external stresses (family issues and work etc) I did have softer motions with a bit more urgency for about a week.
I was at home dealing with radiation burns and the fatigue so was near the toilet and not leaving the house anyways.
I took lots of vitamin C, zinc and Vit D to help immune system cope with the reactions and kept up my functional Chiro appointments.
Prior to the radiation, surgery for breast cancer was my 3rd surgery that year. My system had been pushed to limit with toxins, anesthetics etc
on a legal sense - not sure what the system is in the USA but here in Aus, as I had high grade cancer cells, if I opted NOT to do radiation it would have been classed as refusing treatment. having medical condition where you refuse treatment can have long term ramifications.
ie - if you need organ transplant in the future you may be refused.
It may impact partial or full disability or insurance payouts in the future even if they are other health issues.
It sucks that this becomes part of the decision process and in part removes choice from the patient, but for me and my circumstances I had to think about possible ramifications in the long term.
If I had free choice without longterm ramifications I would not have done radiation
The main issue I had was fatigue and body aches.
There was some gradual impact (softening etc) to Pooping over the duration but I never had explosive diarrhoea for long duration
By the end of the treatment and with external stresses (family issues and work etc) I did have softer motions with a bit more urgency for about a week.
I was at home dealing with radiation burns and the fatigue so was near the toilet and not leaving the house anyways.
I took lots of vitamin C, zinc and Vit D to help immune system cope with the reactions and kept up my functional Chiro appointments.
Prior to the radiation, surgery for breast cancer was my 3rd surgery that year. My system had been pushed to limit with toxins, anesthetics etc
on a legal sense - not sure what the system is in the USA but here in Aus, as I had high grade cancer cells, if I opted NOT to do radiation it would have been classed as refusing treatment. having medical condition where you refuse treatment can have long term ramifications.
ie - if you need organ transplant in the future you may be refused.
It may impact partial or full disability or insurance payouts in the future even if they are other health issues.
It sucks that this becomes part of the decision process and in part removes choice from the patient, but for me and my circumstances I had to think about possible ramifications in the long term.
If I had free choice without longterm ramifications I would not have done radiation
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Re: Radiation treatment impacts
I am so proud of you, Gabes!!
You have struggled so much with your own health issues, yet you have never let any of us down.
You have been a constant source of support and comfort for everyone, on this forum.
Your perseverance and stamina are inspirational!
I really hope you are feeling better.
Littlesandy, i have no radiation experience, but i hope you are guided to make the right choices, for your body.
Jen
You have struggled so much with your own health issues, yet you have never let any of us down.
You have been a constant source of support and comfort for everyone, on this forum.
Your perseverance and stamina are inspirational!
I really hope you are feeling better.
Littlesandy, i have no radiation experience, but i hope you are guided to make the right choices, for your body.
Jen