Patient information: Prostate radiotherapy

You have been referred for a course of radiotherapy to the prostate.

Your prostate is very close to your bladder and your back passage (rectum), therefore, to make sure that we deliver the treatment as accurately as possible we are going to ask you to do some preparation.

You will need to have a comfortably full bladder and an empty rectum. The consultant will have given you a prescription for some enemas and we will ask you to drink 500mls of water. The bottle that has been provided holds the correct amount of water for this.

You will be asked to do his preparation at the first visit to the department for your planning CT scan and then every day before your treatment.

Below is a timeline for the preparation. This will be explained in more detail when you attend for you radiotherapy planning CT scan:

1 1/2 hours before your appointment: administer enema

1 hour before your appointment: Empty bladder and drink 500mls of water

To ensure your bladder is full enough for your scan and treatment each day you need to be well hydrated.

  • We recommend that you drink 2 litres of water per day (4 of the provided bottles). 
  • This should be spread out throughout the day. 
  • By drinking this water, it will mean that when you drink the 500mls for your preparation your bladder it will be easier and quicker to fill your bladder. 

There are several factors that may cause you to be dehydrated and will mean you need to drink more that 2 litres;

  • Sweating – either from hot flushes or activity 
  • Warm weather
  • Diarrhoea
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Tea/coffee

Prepare yourself to drink more water

  • Set a daily goal for water intake
  • Keep a reusable water bottle
  • Set daily reminders for yourself
  • Takes small sips
  • Flavour water with fresh fruits
  • Eat foods with high water content
  • Replace other drinks with waterr

• You are entitled to a parking permit; this will allow you to park in any of the hospital carparks. When you come to the radiotherapy department for the first time speak to a member of the reception team and they will organise this for you.

• When you arrive in the department please check in with reception and they will direct you to the correct waiting room.

• It is important that you attend for each treatment, however if you are having difficulty or feel that you cannot attend for any reason, please contact the treatment machine and we will advise you.

• The time you are given is the time that you will be called in for treatment, therefore you need to have completed your preparation. 

• We endeavour to keep to time, however, sometimes circumstances beyond our control mean we can run late. If we have not called you within 15 minutes of your time and you are feeling that you need to go to the toilet soon, we ask that you let us know and we can advise you.

• If at any point you feel like you cannot hold your bladder, please go to the toilet, and then come to let us know. We do not want anybody to be in discomfort or run the risk of having an accident. 

• It is important to remember that the side effects that have been explained may not happen and often people finish treatment with little or no reaction to the radiotherapy at all.

Radiotherapy reception       01782 672600
H1 treatment machine     01782 672507
H2 treatment machine    01782 672508
T1 treatment machine    01782 672505
T2 treatment machine    01782 672506

prostatecanceruk.org

www.uhnm.nhs.uk/our-services/cancer-centre/radiotherapy

www.macmillan.org.uk

www.nsprostatecancersupport.org.uk

 

 

Bristol stool chart

The ideal stool is type 3-4, easy to pass without being too watery

If yours is type 1 or 2, you are probably constipated

Types 5,6 and 7 tend towards diarrhoea