I am receiving radiotherapy for anal cancer, I have been given flamogel for the effects of radiotherapy however this is not having any effect on the burning and itching. Is there an alternative?
I am sorry to learn that you are having side effects from your treatment and can understand you wanting to know what else can be done.
I'm afraid I can't be sure. Unfortunately although there are guidelines for skin reactions caused by radiotherapy, these don't include all that many recommendations because despite research, there isn't enough strong evidence about what works best.
I think you need to ask the team in the radiotherapy department next time you go and get their input. Sometimes they might recommend steroid based creams, but you would need to get advice from the doctors before using them. I am not sure if using a moisturiser as well as the Flamigel would help, but I think it is something to ask about. And you might also want to get some advice about pain killers as they might take the edge of the burning. Itchiness is a really bothersome problem, and aside from moisturises I don't have a remedy - do what you can to avoid the urge to rub or scratch. Standard advice during radiotherapy is also to make sure you are drinking enough fluids and to eat a well balanced diet.
I hope you can easily talk to someone from the radiotherapy department or your oncologist and that something makes this easier for you.
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