I am not sure whether you are having both treatment or you have been told to choose between the two.
As you can see external radiotherapy can cause diarrhoea and general tiredness and can cause some dry skin irritation.
Internal radiotherapy can cause bleeding from the back passage, some pain and discomfort and sometimes an ulcer in the rectum where the tumour was.
Everyone responds differently to treatment so you may have some of these side effects but not necessarily all of them.
You will be asked to have a full bladder and empty your bowels each morning before treatment.
I am sure nearer the time the hospital will give you instructions as to what to expect.
The aim of the treatment will be hopefully to get rid of the cancer but it is really only your own team who can tell you more. Once the treatment has finished you will be closely monitored.
You may well have been given a bowel cancer nurse so do talk through any concerns that you may have with them or your doctors.
You are also very welcome to ring and chat through any of this with one of the nurses on the helpline.
The Freephone number is 0808 800 4040 and the nurses are here Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.
