How to deal with the foul odour during Radiotherapy

Hi everyone, I was diagnosed in August 2014 with Medullary Thyroid Cancer. I have had 3 operations, but it was decided that I should have radiotherapy to try to blitz any remaining cancer cells. 

I'm now 4 days into the Radiotherapy Treatment but have been really suffering because of the foul odour (it smells a bit like chlorine... only much worse). The odour has been making me feel very nausious and im finding it very difficult to cope with the treatment because of it. I have tried holding my breath, but i still smell the odour even whilst not breathing in. This morning they put Vicks Vapo Rub under my nose and on the mask to try to conceal the smell, but it only lasted about a minute before wearing off. 

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this? And if they had anything that might help make it easier to deal with?

Thank you xxx

  • I read your post a couple of days ago and gave it some thought. Can anyone else smell the chlorine smell or just you? I had radiotherapy to my neck, face, tongue, ear canal it also affected my smell and taste, everything tasted odd and foul, but the smell I got was of rotten meat, I thought it was me smelling bad as the radiotherapy killed off the cells and my flesh rotted. But no one else could smell it. It was less noticable at weekends when I had a break from the treatment. The smell made me feel sick too on top of already having constant nausea. I used body deodorant on my chest and clothes to disguise the smell but it didnt do much. When I stopped the treatment the smell subsided in about 10 days. 

  • Hi I am currently having radiotherapy , after breast cancer surgery , and yes i can smell both chlorine and excramemt smells , 

  • I’ve just finished 14 days radiotherapy I asked the radiologist what the odour was he said it’s the skin being burned, so keep mousterising area, glad it’s finished as tiring getting there but had to be done, now waiting to see what next.

  • Hello chrissie,

                           Neutradol soluble gel dispenser.It does not mask smell but eliminates it, Comes in a little round plastic tub with a stick on seal so you can use it as required. To make it work  harder just jiggle it about gently and within seconds the smell will be gone.If you cannot jiggle it about then simply place it by your nose..Its simply brilliant, and l use the original where it is not unpleasant,just remember its the gel.Let me know in due course if it worked for you,

    David