Radiotherapy Department
Colchester Hospital
Tel: 01206 745 055
Finishing a course of radiotherapy
Returning to normal – how long will it take?
Side effects of radiotherapy often reach their peak 7 to 14 days after treatment has finished. They then settle and gradually improve over the following weeks or months.
It is difficult to put a timescale on this because everyone’s recovery rate is different.
Skin care
Continue to follow our skin care advice for at least two weeks after your treatment has finished or until it has healed, and then gradually start to return to your normal routine.
The skin in the area which has been treated will always be more sensitive to the sun so please cover it with clothing or a sunscreen of at least factor 30 when outdoors.
Follow-up appointments
Most patients have a follow up appointment for between 4 and 12 weeks after your treatment. The timing of this appointment will be decided by your consultant. You may be given you this appointment at the end of treatment or it may be sent to you in the post.
Please call us if you do not receive an appointment.
If you have outstanding chemotherapy appointments after your radiotherapy, your follow-up appointment will be arranged by the chemotherapy staff.
Letting your GP know
Details of your treatment will be sent to your GP so that your records can be kept up-to-date.
Returning to work
If you have been off work while you have been undergoing radiotherapy, you should return only when you feel ready. It is probably wise to give yourself time to get over your treatment. This is something you may wish to discuss with your oncologist or GP.
Contact information
Macmillan Advanced Radiotherapy Practitioners 01206 745 025 Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm
Radiotherapy Reception 01206 745 055
Appointments and Transport 01206 745 033
Radiotherapy nurses 01206 745 037
Wellbeing Centre and Macmillan Cancer Information Centre Colchester Hospital 01206 745 347
Macmillan Cancer Information Centre Broomfield Hospital 01245 515 981
Macmillan Cancer Support (Opens in a new window) Freephone 0808 808 0000
Verifying your identity
When you attend hospital you will be asked to confirm your first and last names, date of birth, postcode and NHS number, if you know it, and to let us know if you have any allergies.
Comments, compliments or complaints about your care
Please raise any concerns in the ward or department you are in. Ask to speak with the ward sister, matron or department manager. If your concerns cannot be resolved or you wish to make a formal complaint, please look at the PALS (Patient Advice & Liaison Service) page, call PALS on 0800 783 7328 or pick up a PALS leaflet at the hospital.
Your views
If you or a family member has recently been in Colchester Hospital, you can tell us about your experience by searching for ‘Colchester’ on the NHS Choices website (Opens in a new window), by writing to us or by filling in a ‘Friends & Family Test’ questionnaire.
Accessibility
The Recite feature on this website attempts to provide digital accessibility and translation support. If you would like to make a request for a leaflet to be produced in a different format please see our PALS contact page in order to contact the team and make a request. If you require a translation please see our translation information page. ESNEFT are actively attempting to achieve accessibility regulation compliance under the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No.2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
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