Radiation Therapy Patient Education

Last reviewed: December 11, 2025

Not all of the information in the handouts below will apply to you. Your doctor or nurse will tell you what information you need to read about your care and treatment. This information does not replace the information given to you by your doctor or nurse.

Your Appointments at the Cancer Centre

• Your First Visit to the Durham Regional Cancer Centre
• Making Decisions for Your Care and Treatment
• Preparing for Conversations about My Care
• How to Complete the Your Symptoms Matter or the Your Symptoms Matter: Prostate Cancer Questionnaire 
• Staying at the Patient Lodge

Preparing For Your Test/Treatment

• VIDEO: What to Expect During Your CT Simulation
• VIDEO: What to Expect During Your Radiation Treatments
• VIDEO: Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer and You
• VIDEO: High Dose Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer and You
• VIDEO:  Deep Breath Hold Technique for Radiation Therapy
• VIDEO: Active Breathing Coordinator (ABC device) for Breast Cancer
• Active Breathing Coordinator (ABC) Nose Clip
• Bowel and Bladder Preparation for Radiation Therapy 
• CT Simulation and Radiation Treatments When You Wear an Insulin Pump or Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device
• Deep Breath Hold for Radiation Therapy
• Having a Prostate Ultrasound Study
• How to Prepare for Your Gold Seed Procedure with a Local Anesthetic
• How to Prepare for Your Gold Seed Procedure with a General Anesthetic
• Gold Seed Procedure and HDR Prostate Brachytherapy Procedure: How to Prepare for Your CT Simulation and MRI Appointments
• Special Eating Instructions for Patients with Stomach Cancer
• Your CT Simulation with IV Contrast (Dye)
• Your CT Simulation with Oral Contrast (Dye)

Radiation Treatments

• Radiation for Symptom Management
• Radiation Therapy to Your Breast or Chest Wall 
• Radiation Therapy for Cancer of the Cervix:  High Dose-Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy Procedure
• Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: Having a Space OAR Procedure
• Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: High Dose-Rate Brachytherapy Treatment
• Radiation Therapy for Skin Cancer: High Dose-Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy Treatment
• Radiation Therapy to the Abdomen
• Radiation Therapy to the Bladder
• Radiation Therapy to the Brain
• Radiation Therapy to the Chest
• Radiation Therapy to the Head and Neck
• Radiation Therapy to the Pelvis
• Radiation Therapy to the Prostate
• Radiation Therapy to the Skin
• Radiation Therapy to the Vaginal Vault:  High Dose-Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy Treatment
• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) to the Abdomen
• Stereotactic Body Radiation (SBRT) for Lung Cancer
• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) to the Spine
• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) Using the BodyFix System
• Stereotactic Radiation Treatment to the Brain (SRS/SRT)
• What You Need to Know About Your Radium Treatments
• Going Home After a Procedure with a General Anesthetic

Managing Side Effects

• After Hours Symptom Management Support
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn or Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)
• Mouth Care 
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Shortness of Breath
• Sleep Problems
• How to Manage Your Symptoms and Side Effects (Cancer Care Ontario)
• How to Reduce Gas in Your Digestive System
• How to take Sucralfate Suspension Plus
• How to Use a Sucralfate Enema
• Saline Soak Instructions
• Sitz Bath Instructions
• Using a Vaginal Dilator 

Other handouts

• Antioxidant Supplements During Cancer Treatments
• How to Request a Medical Letter or Form Completion
• Transportation to the Durham Regional Cancer Centre
• Travelling When You Have Cancer 

Education for clinical teams at partner sites of the CE RCP.