What should you know about radiology and radiotherapy?

A radiology appointment may involve an X-ray, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, or another imaging test. Some scans use contrast material, which can make tissues easier to distinguish. A radiotherapy visit involves preparation, positioning, and delivery of a prescribed dose to the treatment area. The beam is planned to limit exposure to nearby healthy tissue, although effects outside the target can still occur.

Radiotherapy may be used after surgery, alongside other cancer treatments, or to ease problems caused by a tumour. The approach depends on the cancer type, its position, your health, and the purpose of treatment.

Take your medication list and tell the team about previous radiation, implants, pregnancy or a possibility of pregnancy, and any difficulty lying still. Ask whether you should eat, drink, or use skin products differently before an appointment. During a course of radiotherapy, keep the treatment area clean and follow the team’s advice about washing, moisturising, activity, and managing tiredness. Imaging instructions vary, so check whether fasting or a full bladder is needed.

Contact your oncology team promptly for worsening pain, new weakness, repeated vomiting, confusion, a severe headache, breathing difficulty, or trouble swallowing. Seek urgent help for a seizure, sudden loss of movement or speech, severe allergic symptoms after contrast, or collapse. New redness, blistering, or open skin in a treated area also deserves clinical advice rather than self-treatment.

Which scan or treatment is being recommended, and what decision will it inform? What area will be treated, how will it be positioned, and what changes should I report? Could contrast be used, and do my kidney problems, allergies, or medicines affect preparation?